The Mu Conspiracy II: The Storm

By R . Arlan Young

The Neutral Zone has been breached, the Axolan Mines rendered impotent, and alien invaders are bursting forth into the jaalm practically unopposed. The nightmare predicted by the infamous IG group is finally coming to pass, and the defense of the jaalm is, ironically, about to fall upon the shoulders of those demonized dissidents whose stealth and foresight over the years would ultimately provide the only defense the jaalm could send to stem the tide. The mighty Defense Armada, not yet up to full strength, is sent out as a lethal welcoming committee to meet the enemy and stop them in their tracks. But there are many lessons ahead for the new Surdish military, lessons about the nature of an alien race more vicious and more terrifying than any Surd could ever have imagined. And as the forces for the defense of Unavaaris race at plus-light speed toward a violent clash with an unknown enemy, Commander Tehmet Khurn Ashelahmel occupies a front-row seat. Meanwhile, Agent Marc Keslin finds himself at an agonizing crossroads. Should he follow orders and ignore the tantalizing clues that want to lead him along a dangerous path? Or should he follow his instincts and pursue a course that will put him at odds with the most dangerous person in the jaalm? Maybe it would all be worth it if he could only locate Professor Nerlong and find out just what this Mu thing is all about for he suspects that it lies at the heart of the horror that is now descending upon the jaalm. And for the disgraced Lt. Damon Brek, his mission, now, is to do whatever it takes to redeem himself and, at the same time, win the heart of the lovely Khareth Makensee.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781644242339

Book preview

cover.jpg

The Mu Conspiracy II The Storm

R . Arlan Young

Copyright © 2019 R. Arlan Young

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2019

ISBN 978-1-64424-232-2 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-64424-233-9 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Into the Breach

Taking Over

Against Fear

The Nature of the Beast

History Lesson

My New Toys

What’s Ahead in Book 3: Resurrection?

*  *  *

CEPA investigators today confirmed that debris found near the resort planet of Hirbuleze was indeed that of the luxury liner Exefas. Close examination of key pieces of debris revealed unmistakable markings that identified the vessel from which the pieces came and also provided proof that the liner had been destroyed by a powerful explosion. Though the cause of the explosion is still under investigation, experts with the investigating team say that evidence found in the debris strongly points to a disruption in the jaaflit flux that surrounds the menabrium in the main drive unit. Such a rupture would inevitably lead to gravnetic overload and would, therefore, result in a very strong explosion. Cepa officials were quick to point out, however, that breakdowns of this kind are extremely rare as the gravnetic propulsion system has been proven to be exceptionally safe and reliable throughout the long history of its use.

But the investigation will continue until the exact cause of the accident is found. Today’s announcement was not good news for the friends and relatives of the 2,400 passengers and crew who were hoping against hope that they would find their loved ones alive. It is almost certain now that there were no survivors.

The recent appearance before the Trimegra of Tehmet Khurn Ashelahmel, former commandant of the Gappux Flight Training Facility, as a hostile witness for the state, proved to be an exercise in frustration for Korum prosecutors. Khurn’s sly and skillfully crafted testimony provided no fuel for the fire that the Korum has been building under the Intelligence Gathering Division of the CEPA. Key questions put to the witness were able to be avoided on technicalities, and with some prompting from the council for the defense, Commander Khurn managed to weather the ordeal without doing any damage to the IG Group. As a result, the Korum’s case against the IG Group is on the brink of falling apart, and the chief prosecutor stormed out of that day’s session labeling the proceedings as a farce and a disgrace to the institution of due process and justice under the law. Upon being dismissed, Commander Khurn shunned the media and was directly whisked away from the scene. His whereabouts at this time remain a mystery.

With growing unrest spreading throughout the jaalm, organizers of the Founders’ Day celebration are concerned that the worsening political climate may dampen the festive spirit of the upcoming holiday. Radical demonstrations are becoming more frequent, and the incidence of violence is also on the rise. Nevertheless, Korum and CEPA officials are hoping that the arrival of holiday festivities will dissipate mounting animosities.

*  *  *

Chapter XI

Into the Breach

*  *  *

After two and a half days of interstellar spaceflight filled with confusion and anxious speculation, Commander Khurn arrived on a disagreeable little planet, the location of which was unknown to him. The atmosphere of the planet was a swirling, writhing maelstrom of toxic gases and caustic vapors so dense that visibility was limited to about fifty feet in any direction. The landscape, what could be seen of it, was likewise disagreeable with jagged, slime-covered rocks and bubbling pools of acidic orange liquid that were nestled in the low areas among the rocks. All around there were stands of spear-like growths, some reaching as high as fifteen feet, which waved madly in the fury of the perpetual storm and seemed to thrive on the violence. There were no windows in any of the huts that were clustered around the landing area — there was nothing to see. Khurn got his look at the planet’s surface from the view port of the shuttle craft. One look was enough.

An energy dome protected the settlement from the elements, but it was not pressurized, so Khurn entered the IG complex through an air lock. He was greeted by an officer wearing an unfamiliar uniform.

Commander Khurn, welcome to Dunaplog, said the man cordially. We’ve been looking forward to your arrival.

Have you, indeed? replied Khurn. I wish I could say the same, but you see, so far, this whole cloak-and-dagger affair has been a complete mystery to me!

The officer chuckled and said, It will all be made clear to you very soon, sir, I assure you. As for now, my orders are to see that you are settled into your quarters and that you are provided with every comfort and convenience.

Khurn put on a frown of ignorance and said, Pardon my ignorance, Lieutenant, but why the red-carpet treatment?

It’s no different than the treatment afforded all of our top-ranking officers, sir, answered the officer as he guided Khurn into a lift tube and they began descending. Did you bring any personal belongings?

A few.

I’ll have an orderly bring them down to your quarters, sir.

Thank you. Uh, Lieutenant, you called this planet Dunaplog?

His guide nodded. Yes, sir. We affectionately call it the Cauldron.

Khurn smiled. Well, can you tell me exactly where Dunaplog is?

Certainly, sir. We are located in the C-157 L system—fifth planet out.

C-157 L. Khurn knew that he had heard that designation before, and he turned it over in his mind until he had it. Didn’t I read somewhere a quite speculative article about a supposed strategic value of C-157 L with relation to the Neutral Zone?

Yes, sir, the officer responded. There was such an article—in one of the printed news editions a few years ago. It was, as you say, only speculation, yet quite accurate. It turned out to be just coincidence. Nevertheless, it caused us some concern. We were waiting for nosy Korum people to show up and start snooping around, but nothing happened.

They exited the lift tube and started down a bright, comfortable-looking corridor. The officer led Khurn through several turns and hallways, and as they proceeded, Khurn noticed numbers at evenly spaced intervals on the walls. Below the numbers were dark circles of silvery taakstral-like material, and presently, they stopped at one. The officer took from his pocket a small hand device and placed it on the wall next to the circle.

Place your hand on the circle, please, sir, he said, and Khurn complied. He touched an actuator on the hand device, and a hole dilated in the wall in front of them. The lock is now keyed to your handprint, sir. These are your quarters, he said, directing Khurn through the open doorway.

They passed inside, and Khurn was struck by the obvious luxury of the room. It certainly was not what he was used to in the CEPA. The lieutenant wore a proud smile as he said, I hope it meets with your approval and that you’ll be comfortable.

I’m sure that it will, and that I will, said Khurn.

He was certain that he was now standing in the very heart of Father’s organization—that somewhere nearby, just above him or below him was the nerve center of the infamous clandestine component of the IG Group. But just to be sure, he asked his host.

The young officer confirmed Khurn’s suspicion and added, Dunaplog, the neighboring planet Glumnafal, and their combined moons serve as the main staging area for the Defense Armada.

Defense Armada? This was a term he had not heard before, and its implication staggered him. Although in view of the things he had heard over the past several days, it should not have surprised him.

The officer laughed. I know you must have countless questions, but I’m not authorized to brief you. All of your questions will be answered in due time, Commander. He then explained all the convenience gadgets in the suite to Khurn, and just before he left, he said, You probably don’t remember me, sir, but I served under you when you had command of the Star Base at Duulevok, and I just want to say that I’m sure glad you’re here! Then he saluted and removed himself from Khurn’s quarters. The lieutenant had been right; Khurn did not remember him. But there had been so many officers under his command over the years and only a few of which he ever really knew. Nevertheless, it made this place seem a little less strange and forbidding knowing that someone was there who knew him from earlier years. He then realized that there may be many people here who had been under his command before, and he was starting to feel at home already.

Khurn did not sleep well. There were too many changes over the past few days—too much accumulated anxiety. He had been left to himself for the remainder of the day, and he could not understand why. It seemed contrary to the attitude the young officer had displayed earlier. Once, he tried leaving his quarters, but he soon discovered that he had not paid close-enough attention when the lieutenant was guiding him to his quarters and he quickly got himself lost. After a half hour of searching corridors and feeling that he was wandering farther away from his quarters with every turn, he suddenly came upon his number on the wall, and he slipped into his suite with a big sigh of relief. He had no idea how he had found his way back, and he wondered how anybody knew their way around that place. After that, he felt alone and forgotten. It was almost like being under detention; he could enjoy the luxuries of his quarters, but he could not leave them. So he tried to sleep.

He dozed fitfully from time to time, and the hours were certainly not restful. Finally, he became so full of aches from trying to sleep that he gave up and decided to stay awake. Turning to the meal planner, which was located in the social room, he ordered breakfast and was pleased to discover that the food was delivered to his door by a real, live orderly. Tubes of food paste or trays coming out of the walls were not good enough for this place, much to Khurn’s delight. And the food even tasted like it had been prepared by human hands. It was as good as could be found in some of the finest repastaurants.

After breakfast, he freshened up a bit and began wondering what the new day would bring (the orderly had been of no help when Khurn pumped him for answers) when a muted bong sounded and a light came on over the entry space. This, he learned when his breakfast had arrived, meant that someone was outside wishing to be admitted. As the door dilated, Khurn found himself facing a soldier armed with a formidable-looking weapon. It had knobs and tubes and lights on it; it was long and black and appeared to be heavy for the woman carried it in both hands. First sight of this warrior sent a chill through Khurn and might have given him cause for alarm, but the soldier’s easy, cordial manner soon dispelled any fears Khurn might have had. This was the first visible evidence Khurn had encountered of the militarism the IG Group had been accused of for so many years, and it made him a little uneasy. The prototypes that had passed through the Gappux facility had only been rumored to be of a militaristic nature, but this was out-in-the-open proof.

Sir, the project directors would like a meeting with you, immediately, said the soldier, after inquiring as to Khurn’s state of health and general comfort.

Khurn scanned the woman’s uniform for the rank insignia and found what appeared to be a captain’s designation.

Well, Captain, I’ve been waiting for someone to notice that I was here, he said, which elicited a nervous chuckle from the captain. I don’t suppose you’re cleared to brief me either?

I’m afraid not, sir, said the officer. She waited for Khurn to grab his tunic and join her in the hall, then she led the way down the corridor. It’s not that we’re trying to keep secrets from you, sir, but I think the directors are looking forward to giving you the whole picture themselves.

Khurn nodded then looked worriedly back at his quarters. I hope I can find my way back, he said.

The captain laughed. It takes a while, but you’ll get used to it.

I hope so! said Khurn, then he asked, May I ask why you’re so heavily armed—just to escort me to the directors’ office?

A grim look came over the officer as she explained. Things have been getting pretty tense lately, sir. Seriously, a Tark invasion could come at any minute, and probably the first thing they would do to pave the way is try to knock out this installation and destroy the Defense Armada. With things the way they are, it is felt that it is safer to keep the base on constant alert. And who knows, you can’t discount the possibility of a raid by Korum people either.

Khurn was aghast. Good god, are we that close to being at war?

Sir, two hours ago, our state of alert was upgraded a step. The next step is the final step. That’s why we’ve got to get you situated as quickly as possible. Khurn felt a thrill of foreboding. The whole thing was about to burst wide open, and he was going to be right in the middle of it. All of a sudden, things were happening so fast for him. There was no time to consider the moral implications of what was going on. He was caught in the tide, and it was carrying him in harm’s way. Right or wrong, the war was coming, and it would probably be all he could do to defend himself and try to fight for the preservation of his jaalm, and if that was to be the case, then better to do it as a member of the most powerful fighting force in all of Unavaaris.

Khurn was guided through a maze of lift tubes and corridors until he was hopelessly lost. He did not think that it was intentional on the part of the captain; it was just that the place was so large and complicated. Finally, they came to a heavy security door. This was not a simple dialating circle-of-energy dissolve portal; it was composed of thick slabs of Cobol-Malken alloy, which, when the opening sequence was activated, slid aside in three layers.

On the other side of the opening were stationed two heavily armed guards, much like the officer who accompanied Khurn. They saluted as Khurn and his guide passed and turned down a short hallway. Presently, they entered a large low-ceilinged room that was filled with instrument and control consoles, display boards, viewing screens, and people to man them. It was a beehive of activity, and the low roar of collective voices lent an air of power to the place. There were armed guards at regular intervals around the room, and Khurn knew that this was the nerve center of the IG Group’s secret operation. He felt privileged, if not important, just being there, and some of the power that charged the atmosphere of the room found its way inside him. There were, at various places about the room, transparent-walled cubicles that apparently served as offices, and Khurn was deposited in one of these near the center of the big room. The captain left Khurn to himself, so he stood before the transparent walls and studied, with fascination, the many wonders of this awe-inspiring command center. It reminded him of the central control room of a large cruiser, only this was much larger and more sophisticated. He was so engrossed in the complexities of the scene on the other side of the office wall that he did not hear the door as it sighed open and so was slightly startled when he heard a voice behind him say his name. He felt embarrassed and wondered if his spasmodic reaction had been noticed. The man was impressive-looking and very well-groomed, stood straight and tall, and wore a well-fitting uniform. No ragtag outfit, this, thought Khurn as they pressed palms.

I’m Deputy Director Burque, said the man with a smile. I’m so happy to meet you at last, Commander, and all personnel associated with the defense project are greatly relieved that you are finally here with us.

Khurn noticed a commander’s patch on the man’s sleeve.

Well, Commander Burque, maybe you would be so kind as to explain to me just what my role is to be in this organization! It’s been more than a mystery to me since before I arrived here. His voice had sounded short and a little more impatient than he had intended, especially with the deputy director, but he seemed to have gotten away with it. He must really be important around there; it was starting to go to his head already.

I’m so sorry, Commander Khurn, Burque apologized. It was our intention to brief you sooner than this, but the delay was unavoidable, I assure you. Now, if you’ll have a seat, I’ll try to make it all crystal clear to you.

Khurn sat in a comfortable floater chair facing the deputy director’s desk. Burque did not sit but paced back and forth behind his desk.

Let me begin by explaining our current situation, he said. Over the past two hundred years, we have developed a highly complex and, theoretically, reliable early-warning network which has been established within the Neutral Zone and is monitored here at this installation. It is the purpose of this network to alert us to the presence of an invading force the moment it enters the Neutral Zone. Once that happens, we will mobilize our entire defensive system to meet the attack and based upon reports received from agents operating within the Tark Empire, it is about to happen at any moment. Our problem is that, should it happen at this very moment, our most potent defensive weapon would not be ready. That weapon consists of the largest armada of warships this jaalm has ever seen, and we are rushing to make it battle ready. One of the vital things the armada lacks is an overall commander. There are damned few people who are qualified for that position, Commander. In fact, there is only one.

Khurn shifted uneasily in his chair as the weight of what the deputy director was saying settled upon him. Burque could see by Khurn’s pallid complexion that he understood. Believe me, Commander, I am only too well aware of the enormity of the responsibility of such a position—it’s a lot to ask of any mortal man. But the job requires a person with the right kind of experience and the maturity to make intelligent decisions under the most adverse of conditions. We feel that you, Commander, are that person.

Khurn was now displaying the distinct look of skepticism. Inside he was suffering from a calamitous conflict of emotions, dominated mostly by pure panic. Burque continued.

Don’t think for one moment that we merely picked your name out of a hat, so to speak. No, we’ve been conducting in-depth investigations of dozens of field commanders for over a year now, and after a painstaking process of evaluation, you, Commander, were singled out as the most promising candidate for the pivotal position of supreme field commander. He stopped pacing and sat on the corner of the desk. Of course, we can’t force you to accept the job, but before you decide, I only ask that you consider the possibility that your expert guidance of the Defense Armada may be the best hope for the survival of Unavaaris.

Khurn wiped his wrist across his forehead then said, You certainly know how to make it difficult for a man to say no.

Burque smiled slightly. It’s a difficult situation we’re facing, Commander. I wish I could give you some time to think it over. Unfortunately, circumstances will not permit us the luxury. I’m afraid I’ll have your answer immediately.

Khurn felt flushed as he looked the deputy director in the eye and said, What answer is there other than agreement?

Then I will need your vow of commitment, said Burque with a hard expression in his face.

You have it, unconditionally, Khurn answered him.

Burque looked long and deep into Khurn’s eyes, searching for evidence of sincerity, and found it. He put on a big smile and said, You don’t know how delighted I am, Commander Khurn. We can now proceed at full thrust! Finally, he went around and sat down behind the desk, and from some unseen compartment, he pulled out a sheet of what Khurn recognized to be legal taakstral. He offered it to Khurn. This is our agreement, he explained. Read it over and then print it.

Khurn read it over. It was a standard legal document, pretty straightforward and with no hidden clauses, so he placed it over a silver-colored square embedded in the desktop, which primed documents for printing, and pressed his palm on the sensitive sheet. His palm print was now permanently bonded to the document.

You are now supreme field commander, with authority over the entire Defense Armada, including all forces of both the ahrjan and sojan corps. You outrank everyone with the exception of Father, CEPA commissioner Mengk, the chief military coordinator, and myself. In essence, Commander Khurn, the five of us will be running this war.

The concept was staggering, and Khurn knew at the outset that it was going to take considerable time for his mind to accept it. Burque stood up and walked around the desk.

Father wanted to be present at this meeting to personally confer upon you the rank of supreme field commander, but the situation being what it is, his attentions were required elsewhere, Burque said. However, he asked me to give you his best wishes and to convey to you his heartfelt gratitude.

As Burque led Khurn out of the small office to begin a tour of the complex, Khurn said, Now that I’m a member of this exclusive club, maybe you can tell me who Father is. I mean, after all, he was going to reveal himself to me anyway.

Perhaps so, Commander. However, Father reserves the right to disclose his identity to the ‘chosen ones’ himself, and until he does so, I’m not at liberty to give out that information, the deputy director explained. Very soon now his identity will become common knowledge, but until then, it must remain a secret. Khurn mentally shrugged and gave himself credit for trying.

For the next few hours, Khurn underwent intense orientation of the entire headquarters complex to give him a background in the functional mechanics of the operation. At the same time, current strategic priorities were explained to him in detail. Because of his previous experience with the CEPA, he could have guessed what those priorities were, and maybe that was part of the reason they considered him qualified for his new job.

For most of the tour through the massive installation, Khurn was hopelessly lost. Each new level looked the same as the last level, and the twisting, turning maze of corridors was totally confusing to him. The location digits on the walls were meaningless to him for he did not understand the system. It gave the new supreme field commander a feeling of incompetence. Finally, Burque led him onto a shuttle craft, where they were met by another officer. As the craft left the Cauldron behind, Burque made introductions.

Commander Khurn, this is Captain Okido Shimura. He will be in command of your flagship.

Captain Shimura put on a broad grin as he pressed palms with Khurn. It is a pleasure to meet you, Commander Khurn, and I consider it a great honor to be captain of your flagship.

I hope you won’t be disappointed, said Khurn.

Burque went on, Captain Shimura here is Czndarian. He’s a very bright and capable young man—the best we’ve got.

I’m sure he is, said Khurn, trying to be agreeable.

He need not have been told that Captain Shimura was Czndarian for he recognized the physical characteristics that were unique to the natives of Czndar. He looked at Shimura, who was still smiling. Burque had said that he was one of the best—well, Khurn certainly hoped so. It was not that he disliked Shimura; it was just that Czndarians, in general, had always made him uncomfortable. Maybe it was because he did not know very much about them.

In a few moments, they were approaching one of the moons of Dunaplog. The three men stood in the large observation bubble in the nose of the shuttle and watched a panorama spread out before them, which made Khurn’s blood rush with excitement.

Burque was staring with admiration at the scene on the other side of the clearplate, and there was pride in his voice when he spoke. Every time I make this trip, he said, it gives me goose bumps!

Khurn could not believe what he was seeing. Ahead, and seemingly stretching endlessly in all directions, was a fleet of warships, the likes of which Unavaaris had never known in its entire history. He drank it all in with hungry eyes, and it gave him a thrill to the tips of his toes. This is staggering, he said, and beautiful!

Yes, agreed Burque. Khurn recognized each of the different ships, for the prototypes had all showed up for testing at the Gappux facility. But seeing them all together like this was something he could never have imagined. Now it all started fitting together: all the puzzling training schedule changes and upgradings, the intensive flight testing programs, and all the ferrying assignments. It was all for this. It was magnificent, and it was all his.

As they plunged into the mass of the fleet, Khurn could see that each huge battle cruiser was surrounded by a complement of support vessels. These consisted of specialized combat ships, a cluster of troop carriers, planet-fall support, and assault craft and planet-fall transports. Each major division included a hospital vessel and a supply and maintenance vessel. There seemed to be thousands of ships hanging still and silent with the huge disk of the moon as a backdrop.

Khurn wondered which of these great vessels was to be his flagship, and before long, one of the battle cruisers appeared to have been singled out by the tiny shuttle as its destination. As the cruiser began to dominate their field of vision, Khurn asked, Is that the flagship?

Yes, that’s your baby, Commander, answered Burque. If only you knew how much I would like to be going with you! But somebody’s got to stay here.

The shuttle moved right up to the big cruiser and slid into a docking bay, where it plugged itself into an air lock port. Khurn saw that there were vehicle hangars on both sides of the docking bay. Visible in the rear of each hangar were empty vehicle storage racks that, to Khurn, resembled a honeycomb. In front of these racks and occupying the remainder of the hangar’s space were rows of standard two-man CEPA patrol ships—probably modified for combat use yet hardly, in Khurn’s opinion, adequate for serious warfare. He expressed this reservation to Burque.

I understand your concern, Commander, and I agree, said Burque. It’s doubtful that those ships would be very effective in protecting the larger vessels from a concentrated attack by a seasoned enemy, but they’re all we’ve got. An expression of worry came over his face. As impressive as this armada is, it still lacks its most destructive weapon—the 3C, or Close Combat Craft. You probably know it better as the 26-P. You see, it’s beginning to look as though the enemy may not wait for us to complete our preparations. It will be another three or four weeks at least before Streklin Spacecraft can start producing the 3C in mass. The ship itself is ready for production, but the weaponry is still being tested by Kringkus Armaments.

And you think the invasion will come before then? asked Khurn. He still found the idea hard to accept.

Burque nodded. It’s almost certain, he said then gestured toward the hangars. See those racks back there? There are some just like them on every battle cruiser in the armada, and in a few weeks, they’ll start filling up with 3Cs! The trick is going to be holding the enemy at bay and keeping the armada intact until then. He gave Khurn a sidelong look.

Khurn’s laugh was laced with sarcasm. This isn’t fair! he said. "You should’ve told me all this before I agreed to take this job!"

Burque chuckled. You don’t really think I’m that stupid, do you?

They left the docking bay and went directly to Central Control, where Shimura excused himself and went about his duties as ship’s captain. Central Control was a large spherical room with the technicians’ stations located on six levels of terraces that extended out from the curved walls. The captain’s and commander’s stations extended out from the midlevel like fingers pointing directly at each other from opposite sides of the room. The seemingly empty space in the center of the sphere was where holographic images were projected and could display views picked up by both external and internal monitors, computer enhancements, graphics, comm link images—in fact, anything that passed through any of the station monitors in the room. Also, multiple images could be projected at the same time so that pictures from several sources could be viewed simultaneously. In addition, each station was equipped with its own display screen to accommodate individual and separate activity, and there were interface helmets to be worn by each operator so that they could interact both verbally and mentally with their station computers without the distractions of the surrounding workplace environment. Burque called a special comm link assembly and introduced Khurn to the entire defense project, after which he had a final word with Khurn.

There’s one more point I think I should mention concerning the structure of the Defense Armada, he explained. It consists mainly of three fleets, each a complete, full-strength, self-sufficient combat unit. One fleet will be sent out to affect an initial engagement with the enemy, to check their advance. A second fleet will be dispersed throughout the jaalm to protect vital military interests. The third fleet will remain in reserve here at Dunaplog. He paused and directed Khurn to the commander’s chair. Why don’t you try out the ‘hot seat,’ see how it fits?

Khurn smiled and sat down in the chair. It felt good. He felt like a king sitting on his throne, and he looked about the room. There were only a few technicians present, no doubt performing some specialized task, preparing the ship for its eventual departure.

Commander, Burque continued, it is essential that the primary fleet leave here in not more than four days—less if possible. I know that you would like to have more time, but it just can’t be done. And, Commander, the flagship will be accompanying that primary fleet.

Khurn looked up at the deputy director and said, Of course.

Burque smiled then announced that he had to get back to the Dunaplog complex and took his leave. The fleet was now entirely in Khurn’s hands. The first thing he did was to go to his quarters and place a comm link call to his wife, whom he had not seen in months.

For the next two days, Khurn familiarized himself with every aspect of the Defense Armada and brought himself up-to-date as to just exactly what remained to be done to make the fleet ready for action. At first, it seemed to Khurn an impossible task to complete everything in four days, but soon he found that jobs were getting finished with much less difficulty than he expected, and he was learning his way around the fleet rather quickly. The only things about the ships themselves that he was not familiar with from his exposure to them on Gappux were the weapons systems. So he held a gunnery drill. Not only would he see what the weapons were capable of, but it would also keep the armaments teams on their toes. Khurn was staggered by the display of power from those weapons, and it seemed to him that nothing in the universe could withstand the might of this collection of warships. He realized that he was about to write the first chapter in a brand-new saga of Surdish history. The face of the jaalm was about to change forever.

By the end of the second day, Khurn was feeling pretty confident, and comfortable, with his new position. It was looking as though the primary fleet would be departing a little ahead of the four-day limit, with the second fleet leaving shortly thereafter. But then the bottom dropped out.

Khurn was awakened from a sound sleep by the beep of the intercom. It had to beep several times before Khurn’s sleep-clogged brain recognized what it was. Captain Shimura’s voice boomed at him from some indefinable point in the room.

The alarm’s been sounded, sir, he reported.

What? Shimura’s statement made absolutely no sense to Khurn at all.

The Neutral Zone’s been breached, sir. It looks like the invasion’s on!

Are you serious? said Khurn as he finally began to wake up.

"I am definitely serious, sir," returned Shimura.

Then the import of what he had just been told struck him like a two-by-four in the back of the head, and he jumped out of his dormit and began getting dressed. Okay, Captain, thank you. I’m on my way to Central.

For the past two days, Khurn had been living on board the flagship. On the first day of his command, he issued orders that the entire body of armada crew personnel begin moving from the military camp on the more hospitable Glumnafal to their assigned ships. That move had been completed only hours earlier, but a great percentage of Armada personnel were back on the planet on duty or taking care of last-minute personal business, and a large number were still on furlough. As he burst into Central Control, Khurn felt like a latecomer who had missed the opening action of the big game.

All leaves are canceled. Crews will report to their ships immediately! Khurn heard Shimura saying as he took his place at the commander’s station. He noticed that his comm monitor was on hold, so he punched it on. Burque’s harried countenance appeared on the screen.

This is the big one, Commander, he said. How soon can you depart?

As soon as the crews are all aboard, sir, answered Khurn.

The deputy director shook his head. Leave now and let them catch up.

Khurn knew that this exercise was not impossible, but it would be a serious nuisance. Very well, he responded, infected by Burque’s unabridged display of urgency. What’s the situation?

The Neutral Zone has been breached in twenty-three separate places by what amounts to a massive invading force. The welcoming committees have been dispatched. However, under the circumstances, they are expected to be of little, if any, deterrence to a force of this size. In fact, preliminary reports indicate that our ships are being easily swept aside.

What’s the time factor? asked Khurn, seeming to anticipate Burque’s less-than-optimistic reply.