Legacy of the Guardians
by AJ Marks
Part 29
Steve went over the reports again from the Skartian Empire that Jack had given him. He had spent some time reading it in Jack’s office, before he got a call from HQ on Earth and he left to continue reading. The survivors were still climbing, but it would take a long time for them to recover. Some five thousand had been found, and even now there was operations on Earth to discover the Skartian operatives to help bolster those numbers.
What disturbed Steve even more, the fact that this group seemed either afraid to take on humanity, or that there was some sort of secret agreement between some of humanity’s leaders and this group. The second option scared him more than the first.
“General, you have a call from Ambassador Cunningham,” his secretary said, interrupting this train of thought. He activated his communicator seeing Randall’s face appear.
“There’s a new problem Steve,” Randall said, not even saying hello, surprising Randall. “The Dedian Alliance is being threatened by the same race that destroyed the Skartians Empire.”
“Okay,” Steve said drawing out the word. “And what are we to do about it? I know some here who are happy that the Skartians were destroyed.”
“You know that report of another race helping the Skartians, well this same race is the one who was helping the Dedians. And it seems that they are the race behind the entire war, from the beginning they wanted us wiped out,’ Randall said, causing Steve to think about that thought.
“Hold on, let me get Jack in here as well,” Steve said, punching a button and waiting for Jack to pick up. He now had both Randall and Jack on the screen.
“What’s going on?” Jack said, sounding civil for now despite Randall was on the line.
“Some new information about that race which helped the Skartians and, it seems the Dedians and were behind the war,” Steve said.
“This group was directing the war against us, like they are afraid of us,’ Randall said correcting Jack a bit.
“And how long have they been directing this war?” Jack asked.
“Since the beginning, from the First World War, they are responsible for all of our losses,” Randall replied.
“Who are they?” Steve asked, hoping to get a name they could call the enemy.
“They don’t have a name, they are called the Darnkess or the Shadows,” another voice said before Randall could say anything else. Steve wondered who this new person was as he appeared on the screen next to Randall.
“And you are?” Jack asked.
“Captain Sam Uliki sir,” he replied, leaving Steve confused. According to the latest reports Sam should have been in Egypt, not in the Galactic Council.
“Can’t be, you’re in Egypt,” Jack said before Steve could say anything.
“Was sir, I can’t really explain it, at least not yet, but it was increadable. The things I saw and learned,” Sam said. “I know why they fear us, and its that reason why we must help the Dedian Alliance. If we don’t, the entire universe could descend into chaos. We must establish our dominance now over the Darnkess, or else the path before us becomes unstable and dangerous.”
“You’re not making much sense, but if they are the ones behind everything, we owe them some payback,” Steve said, adding his thought to the conversation. He watched Jack sit back thinking about this for a few seconds.
“We just can’t head off to another race’s space again, the others might view this as acts of aggression,” Jack said. “And even if we do, we’re going to be taking on a race that’s thousands of years more advanced than us. Doesn’t sound like an even fight to me.”
“That’s just it admiral, its not technology they are afraid of, but us,” Sam replied. “I know it doesn’t make any sense for an advanced race, but it’s the truth. They can’t control us, that’s how they work. They win battles not by technology, but mental. Think of it as the bully who beats up anyone in school but becomes a wimp the moment anyone stands up to them. That’s them, they deceive and manipulate to get their way.”
“Interesting analogy captain, so what do we do, show up and they leave. I somehow doubt that,” Steve said sarcastically.
“No Steve,” Jack said, obviously thinking about the analogy Sam had used. “If what Sam said is correct, they fear us, it also means we’re young and can grow stronger. They don’t want that. However we have help with our allies this time. We show a united front, it might be enough for them to back down. If what Sam says then acting now could prevent further war.”
“Interesting thinking,” Steve said, turning his attention to Randall on the screen. “You think the others will help us out?”
“Possible, I’ll talk to the others right away,” Randall said, leaving the call to track down the others.
“Captain, you were in Egypt not long ago, right?” Steve asked after Randall left.
“Yes sir, I managed to get inside the Sphinx and discovered a whole new world. The technology is amazing but will only allow certain people into the room. It did not yield all of its secrets but I saw the council room, and knew what was going on, a doorway appeared and I knew all I had to do was walk through it,” Sam said, not able to explain the technology any more.
“The Sphinx?” Jack said.
“It was the same room that Marcus Johnson found way back. He understood what was happening and why he was so passionate about everything. I don’t know if he knew about the Darkness or not,” Sam said.
“It explains why he was a changed man after he visited Egypt,” Jack said, he then moved away from the screen leaving Steve and Sam looking at each other.
“So, you saw the council?” Steve asked.
“It was like watching a live feed on TV, and I knew one of the ambassadors was using a device to control the others in the room. With that knowledge I knew I had to go there, a doorway appeared and stepping though I found myself standing in the center of the council room,” Sam said to Steve.
Before Steve could reply Jack came back onto the line along with Admiral Dinen. His screen was getting crowded.
“Admiral, I have a question, how long would it take you to get to the Dedian Alliance?” Jack asked, surprising everyone.
“The what?”
“Dedian Alliance, how long?” Jack repeated.
“Ah, let’s see,” George said, still looking shocked at the request, but quickly worked with someone off screen. “Approximately twelve hours at standard speed.”
“Have you finished resupplying the fleet?” Steve asked, now knowing what Jack had planned.
“Just about to,” George replied.
“Good, when you finish head for the Dedian Alliance at once,” Jack said to him. “There is reason to believe that the same race that attacked the Skartians will attack the Dedians. There are other reasons but we won’t get into that now. The Dedians should be expecting you, and we’re trying to get help from the other races in the Alliance.”
“What type of enemy?” George asked.
“The one behind it all George,” Jack said. “They might run, for some reason hey are afraid of us, but still, expect a fight.”
“Understand, so head to Dedian space and help them defend against some race that destroyed the Skartians. They may or may not fight us,” George said as Jack reaffirmed the order. Steve thought George looked doubtful. “All right, I’ll follow the order, not sure about it. Anything else you can tell us, maybe what they look like, any weaknesses?”
“Sorry, only to be careful, and do your best. We don’t know the technology of the enemy, but they might have high mental capabilities, but those capabilities don’t work on us for some reason,” Jack said.
“All right, I’ll keep you informed of what happens,” George said.
“Good,” Jack said, as George left the call.
“I just hope they are in time,’ Sam said. That thought echoed in Steve’s mind as well. He did not want to see another race so devastated again.
*****
Randall made his way down the hallway quickly to the meeting area where the others would be. He hoped they were still there, especially after everything that happened lately and that the latest mission might be the most important one.
Turning the corner he heard the voice of Kinser and Toncor and knew at least two were there. Entering the room he noticed a conversation was already going o which stopped when they saw him.
“Ah, Ambassador Randall, so glad you could join us. We were talking about you,” another ambassador said, one he had not talked to before.
“Actually I need to talk ambassador Kinser for a quick second please,” Randall said, loking around and finding the Ilderian.
“What is the problem Ran Dall?” Kinser asked.
“We need your fleet to join ours, it’s headed to Dedian Alliance space to thwart what might be another attack like the one on Sartar,” Randall said, watching uneasy as the others looked on at that bit of information.
“Hmm,” Toncor said, rubbing the top of his bald blue head with his hands. “You realize you might be too late. The attack could already be underway. Leaving now could expose others.”
“But doing nothing means they will be destroyed for sure. As long as there is a chance to save them, we must take it,” Randall said.
“Then I’ll talk to my government and get their support,” Kinser said.
“Us to,” the Heckian ambassador said, indicating the alliance they had formed, the other two nodded their head yes to confirm where they stood.
“Good, have what forces you can report to Admiral Dinen at Ilder,” Randall said. The admiral would take charge of the fleet and organize the force better than he could.
The four ambassadors left the room heading to the offices to contact their governments. It now left Randall with a group of ambassadors he rarely talked to, aside from Toncor.
“Randall, I wanted to say sorry for the way you were treated lately. Our military forces are small and only for defense, they would not do much for an attack like this,” Toncor said to him.
“I know, and I understand. I don’t think many races have much in terms of military power. I actually like the fact most races are peaceful, give me hope for the future,” Randall said. “Providing a united front though, that is just as important against this shadowy race.”
“Then we shall stand with you,” one said.
Randall had good news to tell those back home after all of this. And hoped it would allow for better relations between them all.
*****
“Admiral, we have incoming communications from a group of Ilderian ships that wish to join us, and reports of Heckian warships on their way as well,” the communications officer said to the admiral.
George looked over at the officer before asking how long it would take for them to arrive. He was informed it would take about thirty minutes. He had orders to leave right away, and the fleet had finished its supply. He decided to turn once more to the Boston and her crew, bringing up the captain.
“Admiral?” Ahmed asked,
“Captain, I need you and your patrol group to go on ahead again, take the Iklerian destroyer Yeghre with you as well. I’m waiting on a few more ships from our allies before heading int, but we need to know what we’re up against, if anything,” George said to him.
“Understood, we’ll move out right away,” Ahmed replied.
“Good, keep in contact, we don’t know what to expect, or the enemy’s capabilities,” George said to him, but knew Ahmed was the right man for the job. He sent the relay to the Yeghre to join the Boston and then waited for the remaining ships to show up already thinking of ways to use the reinforcements.
*****
Jack waited for any new information, knowing that the fleet should be leaving soon, and any information from Randall. He looked up at the communications as a report of the Boston leaving to scout ahead of the fleet, and reports of allied ships heading to join up with the fleet.
“Sir, Ambassador Randall wishes to speak with you,” the communications officer said, looking over at Steve, who merely nodded.
“Steve, thought I’d let you know what’s going on,” Randall said. “Been talking to the others, they want to join up and are sending ships. I’ve already informed Admiral Dinen about it, and HQ should be getting formal requests. However they are sending only what can get there quickly, the rest is being formed up into a defense fleet in case one of us s attacked.”
“Good thinking,” Steve replied, as Jack looked on, not wanting to say it was a good idea.
“Haven’t talked much to the Dedian ambassador, only that he requested our help in this,” Randall said.
“So we’re expected, that will make things easier,” Jack said, speaking up. He did not want this to appear as an invasion. Now only time would tell if they made the right decision.
End part 29
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