“Well, there are some questions that may never be answered. There are some questions about ancient civilizations on Earth that have never been resolved in thousands of years. We can’t expect to know everything about an ancient civilization on another planet in a couple of days. But, after a brief if very slow discussion with a computer, I’m guessing the second race of Vega left a long time ago. Thousands of years, maybe even more. They exited but had a bitter hatred for the Aristolans and wanted to destroy them. Any race that would create something like the Molochs was evil and warlike.”
“Can’t argue with that.” I said.
“The computer I was chatting with didn’t have all the facts and I think age had not only slowed its speech but made a few square cogs out of round wheels.”
“I assume that means it was suffering from computer dementia?”
“Yes. But from the few hits it did drop, I’m guessing the second race set in motion what they hoped would be the destruction of the Aristolans. They set their machines to create the Molochs. They needed a whole bunch of them and it took them centuries to produce them. Maybe they had some false starts, a few malfunctions, occasional computer problems down through the years, things like that. But everything was AIs or computers. The programming was to eliminate the Aristolans and it never deviated from that. They were like the military in one sense. They had option after option. If the Molochs fail, do the Gray Guys. And they waited very patiently until they could launch the attacks. Of course, add in the dementia and who knows what you get.”
“It’s as good as theory as any.” I said. “Although right now I’m not particularly concerned one way or the other. I’m just happy not to be walking on Vega. Our next stop is Berritan, which will be a much nicer planet. I hear there are some very nice oceans on Berritan. Think beachfront property. And no noisy neighbors. Peace. Serenity. Beauty.”
“Yes, that’s why I’m staying there, Major. If you have another mission you will have to count me out.”
“I understand. I’m tempted to stay with the Aristolans myself. It would probably be as close to heaven as we could get this side of the line. A few of your colleagues are also staying on Berritan. I’m going back to Vega to get those weapons but the Aristolans said I can drop by any time.”
“I will have a little beachfront property house. You’re welcome any time.”
“Thank you, Carmen. I may take you up on that.”
“Cocktail hour will be about five.”
“I’m not sure the Aristolans will have a cocktail hour.”
She shook her head. “It can’t be paradise without one.”
The Saturnine black ship fleet sailed the last few solar miles toward Vega. To the officials all was well. The Federation did not have a hint of their presence. Another week of travel would take them to the next solar system where they would begin the attack. Their simulations gave them a 92 percent chance of success. Plus, when they struck the combined Crittenden and Xulon fleets would attack strategic centers in the Federation. The Federation, baffled and bewildered, should not be able to quickly mount a defense. But as the poet said, the best laid plans of mice, men and aliens often go awry. The planet killer black comet zoomed through space. It barreled into the fleet, destroying many ships and crippling others. When it hit, the black ships erupted in orange and yellow flames. Other ships spun out of control and crashed into others. For hundreds of miles, only fire and silent explosions could be seen. A third of the fleet was destroyed and another third rendered inoperable. The Federation sensors, on the fleet headed for Fort MacDonald, picked up the explosions and relayed the information back to military officials. The Federation fleet, once outnumbered, now had the advantage. It closed it for the kill.
Always on an erratic course, the comet missed Vega. It caused some minor atmospheric damage but nothing more. Because of the minimal disturbance, Major Ryvenbark and what was left of his squad, plus Belen’s soldiers, would have plenty of time to return and excavate the weapons that would preserve the Deltan civilization.
In the years to come, it was a story often repeated. Sometimes with skepticism. Sometime with awe. Sometimes with reverence. And a few times in disbelief.
Or perhaps the grace of God.
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Table of contents
Table of contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Table of contents