Spartans Rise

By Mark Gagnon

The human race was about to make a quantum leap forward in technology and bioengineering when they were attacked and almost completely wiped out. Now after 400 years all that is left are a few large fortified cities on Earth and an elite military organization led by Hannibal that keep the marauding aliens at bay. Now with an ally the humans are beginning to win back their world. Marcus, Leo his brother and Patrick their father are escorting a caravan between cities when it is attacked. They help defeat the aliens and they become key players in advancing toward the human race's former heights. Marcus in particular opens doors that no one even knew existed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781684093359

Book preview

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Spartans Rise

Mark Gagnon

Copyright © 2019 Mark Gagnon

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2019

ISBN 978-1-68409-334-2 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68409-335-9 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Hordi

About the Author

Part One

Thlari

The massive cone-shaped battle cruiser appeared at the edge of the Milky Way. It was enormous by any standard. At the front, the cone tapered down to a nose bristling with weapons. At the other end, communication antenna stuck out at odd angles all around. It looked like someone couldn’t make up their mind on where to put the antennas and gave the ship a bad hair day. Out of the back of the mighty ship was a long thin cone with small fins attached at the end.

Deactivate the blink drive, Thriac, the Thlari supreme commander, ordered as per standard operating procedure.

They didn’t have enough power to use it anyway, he thought. He sat back and watched the bridge holoscreen. It showed the galaxy they had just blinked into stretching out before him. He liked the look of it here. This galaxy was ripe for the picking of his masters. The dark matter levels and dark energy concentrations were low enough as to not interfere with their gravimetric technology and life was prolific here. Thlecl, what is the ETA for the closest Pawdikite sensor array? he asked his second-in-command.

I’m scanning now, sire. It is a week away at full dilation drive, Thlecl replied.

Good. Start the singularity generators. That will give us just enough time to use the ram scoup and make the holy neutron crushers.

Sire! My sensors have picked up a rouge neutron star seventy-five light years past the target, Thlecl said happily.

Excellent! It seems the gods do favor us over the Pawdikite cowards. It is a good way to start the war. How long before they pick us up on their array? Thriac asked.

It is pointed right at us unfortunately. Only a few days, I’m afraid, his second-in-command informed him.

No matter. We want to scare them anyway. Let them see us coming in their fabulous armor. We will still crush them for the glory and power of the Horde!

Glory! Power! Glory! Power! Glory! Power! the entire bridge crew chanted.

Full deployment of the ram scoup and half power to the drive. I want them to know that we are making the masters’ holy weapons, Thriac said and sat back in his chair. It will be glorious. This time, you won’t escape the Horde, he whispered. Three large ports opened on the sides of the large cone. They were evenly spaced and resembled large vents.

Light began to glow at the back of the long cone. It got very bright and moved forward as a ring around the ship. When it reached the antennas, it stopped and grew outward. Space around the ship seemed to warp and twist. Suddenly, the ship shot forward away from the ring and was gone. If you looked through the ring, you would see a hole in space opening and closing rapidly. The ring and the hole faded away, leaving no trace of the alien ship.

Gespenst

Gespenst turned from the hologram he had been studying when he felt Gesa, his partner, enter his work space.

Greetings, she said, walking around all the lab equipment and machinery.

Greetings. Gespenst nodded once. What did you find out? Are they here? he asked, both hopeful and dreading the answer.

No. It wasn’t them. It was the Thlari, she replied. She moved a large stack of papers and research to find a chair to sit in.

Well, they are never far behind, he said with a sigh.

Do you think we are ready this time? Gesa asked.

Yes, this time will be different. My calculations are flawless. They caught us by surprise last time, and we underestimated them, Gespenst said. Never again. The price was too high for that mistake.

Yes, I remember. Even though it was multiple millennia ago. I can still see the death and destruction, she said with a whimper. The last thing he wanted was to remind her of the loss they had suffered at the hands of their enemy.

Please do not weep, my partner. And he brushed his four-fingered hand across the scales on her face. Like I said, this time will be different. I have learned restraint and patience. No interference until the time is right, Gespenst said. Then all bets are off, and we will finish what our race sacrificed to start.

Gesa nodded and the two of them watched a hologram of a young human wake up.

Townson

Townson woke up early and sat up with excitement and anticipation. He reached for his glasses because he was near blind without them. He stood up from his small bunk built into the wall of the cabin at the back of the transport.

Come on, brother, get up. And he shook his younger brother, Leo, to wake him. He was sleeping in the bunk above his.

Five minutes, he muttered and rolled over.

So Townson ran through his stretches, did his calisthenics, and weight training. He loved working up a good sweat and getting his heart pumping. It made him feel alive. He took a fast shower and got dressed.

Today was the day they were to finish their long journey from Lisbon to Paris. It had been nerve-racking these last few weeks because travel through the wild between cities was extremely dangerous and slow, especially with a large caravan carrying trade goods and supplies.

Townson’s father was part of the security detail hired in Lisbon for his skills with large-caliber weapons. Townson had also been hired to drive. His little brother, Leo, had been hired to man a particle beam turret up on the roof of the transport.

They had chosen to leave because Townson’s mother and sister had died in a Maah and Withry raid on Lisbon. Many people had died in that raid. It was the largest loss of human life in a hundred years. Some said that the raids were getting worse and war was coming. A large percentage of the population believed Lisbon was no longer a safe place to live, and many were leaving for stronger cities.

Townson stepped down out of the vehicle and walked around the front of the transport they had called home for the past few weeks.

Good morning, son, Townson’s father, Patrick, said as he finished cleaning his .75-caliber sniper rifle lying in pieces on the hood of the vehicle.

Good morning, Dad. Anything I need to know before we head out this morning?

Nope, just the usual, son. Drive the transport, stay alert, and pay attention to the vehicle in front of you. If they stop without warning, grab your .50-caliber hand cannon and shoot anything that moves outside your transport, and watch out for your little brother. Patrick looked over at his son as he quickly assembled his rifle.

Speaking of my brother, he just finished his training on the PBT on the roof and wants to kill some bad guys, as he puts it, Townson said.

Patrick continued as if Townson hadn’t said anything, Oh, and above all, do not get out of the transport until the all clear is sounded.

Yes, Dad, I know. Townson rolled his eyes. I am old enough to take care of myself. Townson took a deep breath. Now is as good a time as any. He thought to himself. Dad, I want to join the city guard, Townson said, and his father just shook his head.

You should aim higher, son. You are better than that. The city guard is a dead-end in life. To move up in rank, you need to demean yourself and—

Townson interrupted him. Just because you had a bad experience, Dad, doesn’t mean I will.

All I’m saying, son, is learn from my mistakes, please.

Hello, Patrick! someone shouted. Townson looked to see who had sneaked up behind him.

Oh great, Devon! he thought to himself.

Talking about the city guard, I see. I hope you aren’t talking your son out of joining. He would be a great asset, Devon said.

It was the best years of my life in the guard! If it wasn’t for the guard, I never would have become city commerce manager.

A long horn sounded, and the camp started to buzz with activity. Patrick rubbed his son’s head affectionately. Let’s get to our places. We move out in five.

Patrick grabbed his rifle and jogged past the next transport out of sight. Devon hurried off to the front of the caravan, muttering something about being in charge.

Hey, bro! Leo shouted down from his turret. Townson could see his little brother half hanging out of the turret. The thin freckled redhead waved to him.

Leo! Townson yelled with frustration.

Townson climbed into the cab of the transport. He flipped on the com. Leo, you there?

Yeah, bro, what’s up?

Listen, Leo, when you’re up there, don’t hang out of the turret. Pay attention. If you see anything, report it to the command vehicle right away.

And good morning to you too! Leo said with sarcasm dripping from every word.

Townson realized he was being a jerk. Sorry, little bro, Townson said with a sigh. I just got a lecture on life choices from Dad, and I guess I had to share.

It’s okay, big bro. Hey, do you think we will see any action today?

I hope not! Townson said with a shudder. I just want to get to Paris.

I just want to shoot something besides holograms. Pay those bastards back for taking Mom and Ana.

Dude, those bastards are long gone, the Spartans saw to that. That whole conclave was wiped off the face of the Earth, Townson said.

I know, but I want to pay them back.

Dude, don’t bring bad luck down on us. We have been trouble free for almost the whole trip. It was only that large pack of wolves near Lisbon and that lone Lyst at the halfway point.

Sorry, bro. You’re right. Leo paused a moment. When do you think we will get to Paris? Leo asked with a little static over the intercom.

We are in sight of the outer edge of the swamp, so by the time we cross and enter the gate, sometime tonight.

Dude, a lot of static on the com, Leo complained.

I know, I will get it checked in Paris, Townson said. Let’s get out and check the hull.

Be right down.

Townson stepped down from the cab and started his visual check of the transport. He looked in and behind the cab, looking for debris or foreign objects. When he didn’t find anything out of the ordinary, he moved down the hull of the large vehicle, checking the armor plating for signs of damage or tampering. A bright flash caught his attention.

Lightning was striking behind the caravan. He heard the thunder a few seconds later. He was watching the storm when he noticed something odd. Whenever he heard the thunder, he thought he could see the asphalt of the road ripple. He watched it for a minute and could see it happening more and more frequently. Leo came limping around the corner of the transport, wincing at his bad leg. Townson’s family had suffered greatly from that raid in Lisbon. Dude, look at the road and tell me if you see something strange.

Leo looked at him strangely, then shrugged. Leo turned to look at the road. He waited for a moment. No, Guy, I don’t see anything. I think you need your glasses checked.

Townson did notice his eyesight was a little blurry. He took off his glasses and cleaned them on his shirt. It didn’t seem to help.

Something else to get checked in Paris, he thought, and they continued to check the transport.

Guy, I can see the command pod. It just lifted off. Yeehaw! We are on the move, Leo said with enthusiasm. They both climbed into the transport.

Townson checked his com. Data was scrolling across the console. A large storm front was coming in from the west, behind them. Today’s course through the swamp was being downloaded.

Townson engaged the transport’s tokamak engine, and he could hear the electromagnets begin to whine. He was glad to see the power levels rise without a problem, and Townson engaged the transport’s repulsor lifts. The large vehicle began to rise off the asphalt of the old highway.

Townson noticed how clean and pothole free this section of the road was. Very smooth almost like new, even the lines were painted. Not that he was complaining. The potholes made the ride from Lisbon quite uncomfortable. His mind was brought back to the storm with a loud thunder clap, and he wondered why Leo didn’t see the ripples.

The com crackled to life. Let’s move out!

Townson pressed forward on the command stick. He checked to make sure he was keeping a proper distance from the transport in front of him. He sighed. Finally! Leo said over the com. Townson agreed. He was relieved they were on the move.

Devon

Why didn’t you wait for me!? Devon Diddles shouted when he burst into the lead transport. He was winded from running from the back of the caravan and hauling his bulk up into the cab. I am in charge!

I’m sorry, sir. The colonel said it was time to go. I was just following orders, Duncan, the transport manager, said shrinking back in his chair.

Stop sniveling, and get me the colonel on the com!

Yes, Mr. Diddles. He quickly typed commands.

This is the colonel. Go ahead, Colonel Silva said over the com.

Why didn’t you wait for me? Devon asked.

I thought you wanted to leave, he said smugly. You said you want to be on the move by 7:00 a.m. sharp. We sounded the horn at exactly five, according to standard operating procedure, and we are leaving now. Thirty seconds late because of waiting for you but not bad considering that we have so many people and vehicles.

This is insubordination! Devon shouted.

Calm down. I had no orders from you other than we leave at 7:00 a.m., so that is when I gave the order to move out. You have no case for insubordination. If you still want to pursue this when we get to Paris, you can file a formal complaint.

Don’t you think I won’t, Devon sputtered.

Okay then. That is in the future. Right now, my job is security, and you are taking away focus. I want to get us moving faster. I fear there are Pawdikites in the area, Colonel Silva said.

Don’t be ridiculous. There aren’t any Pawdikites here! Devon thought for a moment. If they get to Paris earlier than expected, there will be a bonus, he thought. Fine! Let’s move! Devon said, very frustrated.

Get me all the transport drivers, he said to Duncan.

Ready, sir, he said.

All drivers, increase power to propulsion to 120 percent, he said and cut the connection.

Tzztchtz

From the forest line near the highway, a large Pawdikite named Tzztchtz watched the transport. He moved from behind a stealth shield to get a better look. Tzztchtz made a long series of clicking sounds into his com unit. He waited until the caravan was over the hill to step out onto the highway.

Tzztchtz was proud of himself. He had stayed undetected all day and all night, watching the caravan’s movements from the forest. He looked up in the sky and noted the storm overhead. Rain didn’t bother his race; they loved water. It was the lightning that made him nervous. His armor would protect him from a lightning strike, but he didn’t like the thought.

The rain started falling, and he used his six legs to rapidly follow the caravan. As he progressed, Tzztchtz began to notice a tingling sensation in his claws when they struck the asphalt. He stopped and leaned his eyes over the side of his round body to take a look at the surface he was standing on.

Far up in the sky, a small fighter dropped out of the clouds over Tzztchtz. It was only visible for a moment and was gone. He stood erect, seeing movement in the sky. With the three clusters of compound eyes, a Pawdikite was impossible to sneak up on.

He decided to get moving again and ignored the tingling. He didn’t know what he saw moving in the sky, and he wasn’t going to stick around to find out.

Tzztchtz stopped near the top of the hill to check if the caravan was out of sight. He wanted to follow the caravan and be there for the ambush but far enough back not to give them away. He had to be there to get his share of the reward. He saw the last vehicle turn the corner, and they were out of sight.

With so many eyes, he could see all directions at once, but Pawdikites have a problem with focus. Pawdikites only focus on movement not on subtle changes. He didn’t see the four thread-like filaments rise rapidly up from the asphalt. They seemed to be totally unaffected by the wind and the rain. Tzztchtz did notice that the tingling in his claws began to increase. He leaned over again and brought his trunk-like appendages down to feel the road.

In an instant, lightning struck, running down the four filaments, and the asphalt under him radiated massive amounts of energy straight up under the Pawdikite. It vaporized his legs, appendages, and most of his eyes. As fast as it started, it was over.

Tzztchtz rolled to one side. The underside of his body was armored and smooth, which was the only thing that saved him. Blackened and severely injured, he tried to call for help, but his communicator was destroyed. He panicked a little and began to roll around, shifting his bulk. Then, he saw how futile that was and calmed down.

With his few remaining eyes, he could make out a figure walking up the hill toward him. At first, he couldn’t make it out. He was overheated and almost cooked inside his amour. When he could see clearly, the figure was definitely human. Only two legs not four like Lyst. It looked male to Tzztchtz, tall and muscular. He tried to remember what female humans looked like. Thin and short, he thought. He wasn’t Maah, much too large. Withry was out of the question, no feathers, and he wore a cloak with armor flashing underneath. The Pawdikite couldn’t see his face because of the helmet.

He began to remember what he knew about human warriors. There were the city guard and Spartans. Fear ran through his severely injured body. This was a Spartan! He panicked again and tried to roll his considerable weight away from the Spartan but only managed to roll himself around in a circle.

Tzztchtz calmed himself again. After all, it was just one human. What do you want, human? Tzztchtz asked, trying to sound brave. The Spartan stood there and crossed his arms.

Tzztchtz was confused that the human said nothing. He just stared at him. It began to make him nervous. He knew that Spartans were great warriors. Pawdikites never attacked caravans guarded by Spartans.

If you help me, human, the reward will be great, he said to the Spartan. The armored man just stood there like a statue.

Can you hear me, human? he asked. Again, no response. Tzztchtz started to get fearful, not knowing what this human was going to do.

Do you wish something else? Intelligence on your enemies perhaps? Tzztchtz asked, hoping to entice this human. This made the Spartan consider, but after a moment, he just shook its head.

Tzztchtz got dizzy for a moment, and his vision blurred. He calmed himself again and refocused on the human. The Spartan had bent down on one knee and picked up a glowing crystal. He turned it over in his hand, examining it. Tzztchtz wondered what it could be.

The Spartan stood and walked around the severely injured Pawdikite and picked up three other crystals. Tzztchtz could see the crystals had appeared where the lightning had struck the pavement. After he picked up the crystals, the Spartan stepped in close and placed three of them near the central cone of the Tzztchtz’s body. Tzztchtz could not believe the audacity of this human. The Spartan stepped back and judged the placement. He nodded, turned his back on the injured Pawdikite, and walked back down the hill.

Tzztchtz was furious. How dare he place these small crystals on his holy body. The creator made Pawdikites the ultimate beings in the universe. He screamed and ranted at the Spartan.

Then, he realized his back was turned. Now was his chance. Tzztchtz extended a tongue from one of his three mouths and reached under the top plate of his armor. He pulled free a small spiked ball.

He was so excited that he would get his revenge he failed to notice the Spartan’s hand. The human’s fingers were counting down five, four, three, two. Tzztchtz drew his tongue back to throw the weapon. One, a bright flash, and the Pawdikite was reduced to ash inside his armor. The spiked ball landed on the asphalt and exploded. Making a big hole and throwing the Pawdikite armor off the road into the trees.

A wave of force rippled through the asphalt, radiating out from the explosion and lessening as it went. It passed the figure, and he could see the energy being absorbed. He walked back to his fighter and took off. Flying low over the crater, he saw it was filling back in. Satisfied, the Spartan pressed the throttle and followed in the direction the caravan went.

Rock

Rockland Tremount Thornton IV looked out from atop the tallest building in London. He stood at the top of the garden terrace that wound around the building like a corkscrew. He leaned against an apple tree he had planted as a child. He liked to watch thunderstorms from here. Rockland could see over the wall that surrounded the city and far beyond. Watching the lightning was his favorite part. It was beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

Rock, as his friends called him, was from a very wealthy family. One of the few to retain their wealth after the fall. After his father’s death a year ago, he had taken over the family conglomerate. Under his leadership, it had expanded greatly.

One of the major expansions was energy production. His company had perfected the small Tokamak engine that powers vehicles, transports, fighters, even the cities themselves, replacing the old energy generators that no one understood or remembered how to service. His new generators didn’t have as much energy output as the old ones, but these can be fixed or replaced. Moscow’s mayor had contacted him this morning and said they needed four large Tokamaks to replace the old power generator that was destroyed in a raid, not to mention the cleanup from the radiation. This clean up was also a division of Rock’s company that he had improved upon.

Rock was watching the lightning strike when his beautiful wife, Claire, came out. Something about the lightning strikes didn’t seem right though, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

Good afternoon, Rock, my love. Claire stretched up on her tiptoes to give him a peck on the cheek.

Hello, my darling. Rock gave her a hug and a kiss on the top of her head.

You missed this morning’s board meeting. Claire leaned against her husband’s large, trim, muscular frame.

I was contemplating our next step and didn’t need that bunch of halfwits who know nothing, bottom-feeding, elite wannabes interfering with my creative process.

I sense that you don’t have a high opinion of your board, my love, Claire said, teasing him.

I’m close to something big, darling. I can feel it. It’s there right in front of me. I know it. Rock gave a light squeeze to wife for emphasis.

Well, those halfwit bottom feeders are planning something, Claire warned. It has to do with the city guard. When I walked in, fashionably late as usual, she said with a smirk, the wall sheet screens had balance sheets for proposed projects. They shut it off immediately. Little do they know my photographic memory is amazing. It was for military contracts having to do with defensive and offensive weapons against alien species. Plus, on my way in, I saw Hannibal’s personal red and orange fighter take off from the roof of Thornton Tower.

Really, Hannibal was in London, and he didn’t call me. That’s not like him. Especially since we haven’t talked in months. My brother must have a lot on his mind. Rock turned back to the storm. He cocked his head to one side and said, Huh."

What’s up, my love? Claire asked, knowing her husband was on to something. She knew what that huh meant. Usually, it meant the board was going to squirm and complain, which she found very entertaining to watch. It also meant a brave new venture. She had seen it many times over their twenty-five-year marriage.

Darling, do me a favor, and watch the storm on the horizon. Please tell me what you see.

Claire turned to see the storm. The top of the garden terrace was eight hundred feet up. She could see far out over the swamps and surrounding fields that made sneaking up to the city walls impossible, even with a stealth shield. Rock watched her look up at the huge thunder cloud that rose high into the sky. She looked at the rain pelting the fields and old pine forest that ran down from the foothills. I hear the thunder, but don’t see any lightning. Then she saw it striking over and over and over onto an old asphalt road that ran to the edge of the swamp.

Now Rock knew his wife was brilliant and well educated. He saw the confused look on her face.

What in the world, she said in hushed tones. The lightning is striking that road and only that road.

Like I said, huh.

We have to find out what is going on over there. Do you realize how much energy is being . . . Her words trailed off to nothing when she remembered who she was talking to. Sorry, of course you realize. You probably already calculated how much and figured out how to bottle it.

Darling, you give me too much credit. Even I couldn’t calculate that fast. We are talking near the speed of light. I do know that the road we are looking at should be burning. Someone or something has changed that stretch of road. We need to find out what it’s changed into and who or what changed it.

Rock, that is outside the wall, beyond the swamp, not to mention outside the defensive perimeter.

I know. We need some help. Good thing my brother is the commander of the Spartans, he said with a smirk.

With any luck, we will get to see Cloe, Claire said with hope in her voice.

She goes by Cleopatra now, my dear, Rock said, knowing full well it was useless to correct her.

I don’t care what she calls herself. I endured forty-eight hours of labor bringing her into this world, and I named her Cloe. That is her name. Claire stomped her foot for emphasis.

Yes, my darling. Rock kissed his wife on the top of her head affectionately.

Hannibal

Hannibal sat in his fighter, watching the information scroll across his display. He didn’t need to worry about flying. Cakarot had that covered. He had, a few times in the past few months, wondered what he had done before Cakarot. Some called Cakarot an AI, but Hannibal knew that he was more than that. He had been a person once. How he became an AI, Hannibal did not know.

His com chimed. He glanced over to see who was hailing him. It was from Thornton Enterprises. Great, probably an idiot board member. He touched the command console and activated the com. This is Hannibal. Alpha one, go ahead, he said, flat and monotone.

Brother! Rock’s voice rang clear over the com.

Hannibal frowned. Why was his brother calling him? He was not ready to bring him into the plan yet. Rockland. How can I help you?

Well, first, I haven’t talked to you in months. Mother asked me if I had heard from you. I had to tell her that I had not, Rock said.

Hannibal interrupted him. You didn’t call me to tell me Mom hasn’t heard from me. What do you really want, Rockland? Hannibal asked with suspicion.

Brother, you wound me. I heard you were in London this morning, even in my headquarters, and I didn’t see or hear from you.

I was meaning to get with you on that. An emergency came up that I have to fix.

Everything all right? Rock asked with concern. Hannibal knew his brother was already calculating how to profit from whatever emergency might have happened.

Yes, the situation is being handled. You will probably hear about it on tonight’s Popper news broadcast.

Oh. Well, I’m glad you’re okay. What was it you needed to get with me about?

It’s about your board of directors. They came to me with a request. Hannibal paused to see his brother’s response. When nothing came, he continued, They want Spartan protection.

For what? Rock asked with very little interest. Hannibal had a feeling Rock already knew what what they wanted.

For protection while they ran new weapons trials to be held outside the city on the other side of the foothills.

So it was Diddles requesting your help, Rock said not as a question.

Correct, although I never heard him speak. He had the rest of the board doing the asking and presenting. It looked to me like a bunch of puppets. I figured you knew already though.

To make a long story short, I turned them down. Spartans are not babysitters. Let the city guard handle it, and can you believe they promised more than fair compensation? As if Spartans could be bought off.

Wow, I’m surprised you didn’t deck someone.

If it wasn’t for the emergency, I might have. I did break your conference table though. I think someone wet his pants, Hannibal said. I could smell the urine when I left.

Rock laughed. I wish I could have seen that, and I am sorry they bothered you. Rock paused. Hannibal knew there was something coming. Brother, there is something I need.

Here it comes, Hannibal thought.

I saw something outside the wall, Rock continued. Something that needs to be investigated. Something that was not made by us.

Hannibal swore under his breath. He had seen something.

I will be back in London soon. We can talk then. Hannibal out. He cut the com. Did you get all that? Hannibal seemed to ask the air.

Of course. I monitor everything. I like your brother. He is highly intelligent. Cakarot appeared as a hologram in the middle of the command console. What do you think he saw?

I think we have to talk to Kraiten and rework the plan. I think he saw something that exposes the plan before we are ready to let him in. Hannibal scratched his chin. His command console flashed red. So much for planning. Time to save the world.

Kraiten

Kraiten sat in the study of his tree house atop one of the tallest trees on the continent. The wall was open to a large terrace with a beautiful view. Floating above the terrace and out amongst the trees was an immense group of holographic calculations. Graphs, equations, algorithms, and computations all floating in space, turning slowly as if in orbit around a central point. Kraiten manipulated a value here, tweaked an algorithm there, and watched what happened to the whole. This gigantic hologram represented his life’s work. It all worked toward one goal: what was going to happen to the universe.

Ding ding ding. Someone was ringing the front door chimes.

Blast them to infinity, he muttered. Why is it every time I start to get somewhere, somebody interrupts me? Kraiten shut down his holograms and went to answer the door.

A beautiful woman was standing in his doorway, waiting patiently. She was petite with an athletic build and with long flowing red hair. Well, hello, Nevrea. To what do I owe the pleasure? It took all of his will power not to be sarcastic and show the disgust he felt for her.

Oh, Chairman Kraiten, you are too kind. She giggled and acted shy. Kraiten wanted to roll his eyes. Are you going to invite me in? That blink travel takes my breath away. Kraiten didn’t want to, but he needed to keep up appearances.

Oh, I am sorry. Please excuse my rudeness. Kraiten stepped to the side and bowed. Please enter. Kraiten guided her to the great room off the main entrance and they sat. So, Nevrea, what can I do for you?

My dear, I’m here to see how you are doing. You haven’t shown up at any council meetings in over a month, she said with soft voice and a slight tremor of worry.

Who does she think she is fooling? Kraiten thought. He knew full well she was here to spy on him. I am merely taking a sabbatical from council business. A time to myself, he said with a smile.

Oh yes, I did read somewhere that when people reach four hundred, they become a little withdrawn. I just turned 135. Can you tell?

Kraiten feigned shock. I wouldn’t have guessed nearly that much. By the way, where did you hear how old I was?

Oh, it was just a guess, she said proudly.

Well, I am a little older than that, he said cryptically.

I knew it! People of your age like to show a little gray in their hair and a few wrinkles. Me, I want to stay young forever.

I can see. Your youth therapy is quite good, Kraiten complimented.

Why, thank you. Nevrea blushed.

Kraiten sat back in his chair. If you only knew how truly ancient I am, you twit. Multiply your guess by a hundred, then you’re in the area. He chuckled to himself, glad that his secret was safe, for now.

Now as to why I’m really here. Nevrea slapped her hands on her lap. Kraiten sat up, mildly interested. Yeah, right, he thought. I need to speak to Cakarot. Kraiten raised one eyebrow. It’s nothing sinister, I assure you. The last time I was here, you served the most delightful tea cake. I simply want his recipe.

Well, I do apologize, but you can’t speak to Cakarot. Kraiten waited for her reaction.

He saw the briefest flash of frustration and suspicion, then feigned disappointment. If Kraiten didn’t have thousands of years of dealings with liars and politicians, he might have missed it. Why is your man servant gone, might I ask? Nevrea asked with a pout.

I sent him to a relative on the other side of the Wista. Kraiten waved his hand over the coffee table, and a tea set appeared with the tea cakes Nevrea mentioned. House copy all of Cakarot’s recipes to crystal, please, Kraiten asked into the air. A crystal appeared next to the tea set.

All 26,678 recipes copied to crystal per request, a sultry voice said.

Thank you, House. Kraiten picked up the crystal and handed it to Nevrea. Would you care for some tea and cake? he asked.

No, I simply can’t stay. I was just in the sector and wanted to see if you were well. Now that I see that you are, I will be on my way.

I thought you would like some of the tea cakes. You did travel halfway around the Wista to get the recipe.

No, I must be going. So sorry. She stood, and Kraiten walked her to the door. Good day, Chairman. I hope to see you at the council meetings soon. Your wisdom is sorely missed.

Kraiten stood in the doorway, watching her leave. She walked slowly down the huge tree branch. He waved when she stopped at the blink point. She waved back, smiled, and was gone.

I do not like that woman, said the sultry house voice from behind him. Kraiten turned to see her. She was tall with an hourglass shape and long blond hair.

Neither do I, my dear. Neither do I. Kraiten turned and stroked her cheek. The corpites had manifested the woman’s body, and her cheek was warm. Kraiten walked back to his study. The woman followed close behind, walking back into Kraiten’s study. He activated his holographic equations.

These equations, Ki said, waving to the floating symbols, what are they for?

Well, that is a simple question but a very complicated answer. He walked over to the nearest equation. This is a very complicated bunch of smaller calculations that is greater than the sum of its parts. Each of these works as an individual but part of the whole. The values this creates affects the others and so on and so forth, he explained.

Yeah, that’s great, but what are you calculating? she asked.

I’m calculating the future, he said with a smile.

Really? Wow, that is amazing. She circled around and looked at a few. Does this have anything to do with sending Cakarot to the Terran system?

Yes, he is there for a few reasons. The first is to protect him. There is some chatter on the nets about him. Someone thinks he is more than he seems. So I sent him there.

Thank you for protecting our son, Ki said.

You’re welcome. He smiled. The second reason is my plan for saving our species. He paused for a moment and cleared his throat. I ran a much smaller version of this calculation hologram with our species as the focus, and the calculations predicted that we are stagnant and in decline. If something is not done soon, we will fade from existence within the next millennia.

That’s a long time. Ki said.

Yes, that is a long time. We could change and find a way to improve in that time, but there is a problem. Something is going to wipe us out, Kraiten said ominously.

Wipe us out how? Ki asked.

I’m not sure. I don’t have enough information. That’s why I built this. He gestured to the hundreds of floating equations and algorithms around him.

So what does this have to do with Cakarot? Ki asked, confused.

Well, in building this, I needed to search the galaxy for species that might be able to help. Most were just no help at all. Finally, I found humans, and I found out that the humans are a unique species. They grow with adversity. They change. They become better with time, Kraiten explained. The problem with them is something has hit them and hit them hard. What that is, I don’t know yet, and without help, they are also on a downward spiral.

Cakarot is there to help them along with the corpites to get them where they can stand on their own. Then, they can help us, if only to survive this wipe out and maybe save us from our stagnation.

Wow, Ki said. She shook her head as if to clear it. Okay, so Cakarot is on Earth to help them so they can help us. Any other reasons?

Yes, he is gathering intelligence on all the races on Earth for my equations here. In this case, I cannot have too much information, Kraiten replied.

Okay, Cakarot is there to be protected, but we don’t know who yet, Ki stated.

Yes, Nevrea has expressed unusual interest in him. So I suspect she is part of it. She is definitely not the mastermind behind this, Kraiten said and stroked his chin.

I think we need to put her under surveillance, she said matter-of-factly.

Ki, my love, we cannot stoop to her level.

Maybe you can’t, but ever since you saved Cakarot and my consciousness from that solar flare, I have a different outlook. I intend to protect you so you don’t end up like me. It is very confining living in the corpites of this house, not having a true physical form. I am stuck here in this house. I can’t leave. It’s like a prison.

Kraiten sat in his favorite chair. Puzzled, he looked at her. Why do you say that, my love? You have free range of the entire Wista. You are not limited to this house. You can go wherever you want to go.

You say that, but I have never left this house. Since the day the corpites brought my consciousness here, I have never left, Ki said, almost pleading with him.

My dear, I always thought you stayed here because you didn’t want to leave. There is nothing keeping you in these walls, Kraiten said.

I’ve tried to leave through the net many times. Ki looked worried.

Ki, all you have to do is walk through the front door and step into the blink point, to go anywhere in the Wista you want.

A smile spread across Ki’s face. She walked up to her husband and kissed him. Why didn’t I think of that? she asked him.

Maybe you didn’t want to leave. Kraiten sat back in his chair and folded his hands in his lap. Maybe I am that much fun to be around, he said, teasing his wife.

Ki kissed him again. I love you. She stood up and hurried to the door. He heard the front door close and smiled.

Sometimes, everyone needs a little push. Now that she is no longer confined to the house, let us add the variable of her intellect to the universal question. He thought about when he saved Ki and Cakarot’s consciousness, and he felt very guilty because he blamed himself for his wife and son’s physical death. He had made the calculations that predicted no solar flares for a brief period. He was wrong, and his family had paid the price for it.

Kraiten zoomed in on the new long algorithm he had been working on, putting the last bit of the symbols needed to finish. And done. Okay, hold on. Here we go. Six hundred years of work, let’s see if it was worth it. He entered a value into one of the variables. A colored wave radiated out from the algorithm, changing and rearranging all of equations. Nice! He studied the massive hologram, variable by variable. I should have kicked her out a long time ago. This is actually working. It is really predicting the future.

Kraiten studied long into the night, watching the equations unfold, as variables were given values, as equations were solved and proved. Chimes sounded as each was finished. As he watched, a pattern emerged. I knew it. The humans are far more important than even I could have guessed. Look at what they found. Oh my goodness, this will change everything.

He jumped up clapped and danced a little jig. He wandered in and around his work between the holograms. He scanned the equations again, seeing what else he was right about. His smile turned to a frown. Near the end of the wave, one of the last equations was being proven. His frown turned to worry, then shock. He sat back in his chair, cradling his face in his hands. He was dreading what the proof would say.

A chime sounded. Kraiten looked up from his hands. Fear struck him like a kick to the head. I can’t believe that this is the end. He thought for a moment. There was a glimmer