{"id":2402,"date":"2018-03-10T07:17:10","date_gmt":"2018-03-10T13:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2402"},"modified":"2018-03-21T08:49:05","modified_gmt":"2018-03-21T13:49:05","slug":"master-of-violence-part-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2402","title":{"rendered":"Master of Violence – Part 7"},"content":{"rendered":"

Master of Violence<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 7<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jeff watched Toncor\u2019s expression by his answer.\u00a0 The alien had not been expecting to hear such a bold answer, but it was the only one Jeff could give and live with himself.\u00a0 He never was one to back down if confronted and they would be fighting for their home.\u00a0 That was a powerful incentive for any human.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Toncor finally said.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is our home, we were born here, grew up here, its where my family is, if that\u2019s not worth fighting for, what is?\u201d Jeff said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can always move your family, find a new home,\u201d Toncor said logically.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but you are forever running, are you not?\u00a0 Nothing has been solved,\u201d Jeff replied.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t imagine a nice life for my son or daughter in such an environment, always running and looking over your shoulder for this Dark Race to appear once more.\u00a0 You couldn\u2019t settle down out of fear.\u201d<\/p>\n

He noticed Toncor seemed to at least consider such an option.\u00a0 Jeff only spoke the truth about how he felt and waited to see what his alien friend might have to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears we have two different opinions on the subject,\u201d he finally said.<\/p>\n

Jeff nodded sitting back in the chair as much as possible, considering the chair was a little small for him.\u00a0 He wondered how tall people managed in their daily lives considering everything was designed for smaller people.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do your people cope with living in a ship?\u201d Jeff asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe make do because we know the alternative,\u201d Toncor said.\u00a0 \u201cWe value our freedom still even if we don\u2019t fight like you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome people on my world would call you crazy for such an attitude, others might say you don\u2019t have much freedom,\u201d Jeff said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is always the hope for freedom, more so than if we were slaves,\u201d Toncor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps, but many of my race would rather die fighting for that freedom than run away,\u201d Jeff said, thinking about all the people.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, if we were to propose all efforts into a mass of transports to leave the planet, there would be a group who would defy the orders and try to build something to fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

They sat in silence for a few seconds before Jeff decided to change the topic of conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are the repairs going?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSlowly, but to be expected,\u201d Toncor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard they are trying their best to create the right parts which will work for your engines,\u201d Jeff said, having read the report before coming up here.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it s different to create a new part when its never been created before, especially certain alloys,\u201d Toncor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe technology has given us a new way to think about things,\u201d Jeff said.\u00a0 \u201cOur scientists are already thinking of way it might be improved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have heard that from our engineers,\u201d Toncor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps we can help you out even more with some improvements,\u201d Jeff said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps, you learn quickly it seems,\u201d Toncor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes too quickly,\u201d Jeff said.\u00a0 \u201cIts always been part of our society, computers always getting better and better, especially for the gamers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGamers?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA group of people who enjoy playing computer games, they push the graphics of a computer further and further, experimenting in more and more power,\u201d Jeff said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see, we have a group like that, but its not a very large group,\u201d Toncor said.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like a tour?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that they stood and left the room as Jeff followed Toncor around visiting many parts of the ship.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Angie wearily made her way out of the store after getting off work.\u00a0 Today had been a harder shift than normal, especially when one person called in sick meaning she had to work harder to cover.<\/p>\n

A long day was finally over and now she had to go home and confront her mother who was probably waiting for her.\u00a0 Angie sighed, knowing that wasn\u2019t what she wanted to do after a long day, especially considering she called to inform her that she would be late getting off work due to another employee no coming in.<\/p>\n

Making her way to the rail station she passed by an area close to the forest.\u00a0 It was full of trees which came from Earth and found very fertile soil here on Sierra.\u00a0 It was also the one area on the way from work to the rail station where she was observant for any strangers.<\/p>\n

She looked up ahead and spotted one figure walking towards her.\u00a0 She pulled her jacket around her a bit more and quickened her pace, readying her self-defense measures in case.\u00a0 As she got closer she spotted a familiar face and sighed, one of the wierdos from her high school days.\u00a0 She realized he was the one who actually tried to ask her to the prom.\u00a0 What was his name?\u00a0 John, Josh, no Jack.<\/p>\n

As she approached she noticed a strange light glowing the sky and looked up, pausing in her walking.\u00a0 In the sky there appeared to be several pinpricks of light, almost shining down upon the planet.\u00a0 It made no sense to her for this to happen.\u00a0 Looking up she discovered she had moved closer to Jack, who also seemed to be looking up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d she finally asked, feeling better to be near him than whatever was happening in the sky.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot sure,\u201d he finally replied.<\/p>\n

Angie wondered if she should run when the lights started to get brighter.<\/p>\n

Suddenly there was an explosion off in the distance causing them both to look over.\u00a0 The explosion lit the night sky and before Angie could even contemplate what happened another explosion occurred even closer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think we should stand right here,\u201d Jack said suddenly.<\/p>\n

Despite everything, Angie had to agree.\u00a0 However before she could start to move another explosion rocked them.\u00a0 She was tossed to the side and hit a tree.\u00a0 Her vision went fuzzy for a few seconds before she blacked out.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Mark went over reports of everything having gone back to the Enterprise and now sat at his desk.\u00a0 So far everything seemed normal, and the ship was functioning without a problem.\u00a0 Reports about the new drive indicated there had been some fuel conservation but not enough as they had hoped.<\/p>\n

Yawning he stretched having done over reports for several hours now and it was putting him to sleep.\u00a0 Deciding it was time to take a break and that it was close to lunch time he figured now was a good time to head to the mess hall and grab a bit to eat.<\/p>\n

Reaching over he shut down his screen and froze.\u00a0 He thought he saw something and quickly brought the screen back up and scanned the line he thought he saw.<\/p>\n

Explosions on Sierra!<\/em><\/p>\n

That caught his attention and wondered where on Sierra it occurred considering his sister lived there.\u00a0 Opening the article he noticed that the news report mentioned communications with Sierra had been difficult at best.\u00a0 It was noted that several explosions had occurred but the source had not been verified yet.<\/p>\n

Mark looked around to see if there were other news sources.\u00a0 Another one made mention of bright lights in the sky.\u00a0 That comment made him wonder. Shutting it back down he headed to the bridge where he saw several people working.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain, glad you\u2019re here,\u201d Hans said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the situation?\u201d Mark asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re receiving some interesting communications from Sierra, and having trouble hearing them,\u201d Hans said.\u00a0 \u201cI was about to call you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s hear it,\u201d Mark stated as they made their way over to the communications.\u00a0 There the young lieutenant was working to get the message.<\/p>\n

\u201cRepeat Sierra Station, you\u2019re not coming in,\u201d the man said.\u00a0 Mark had to recall the man\u2019s name, Joaquin.<\/p>\n

Mark watched as the man tried several times before looking up at them.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry sir, can\u2019t raise them anymore,\u201d he said to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWonder if this has anything to do with the explosions on the surface?\u201d Mark said confused about how it could affect the orbiting station.\u00a0 Normally such an event on the surface would have no problems in space unless there was a huge EMP.\u00a0 \u201cDid we get any communications from them before it all started?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Joaquin stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s hear it,\u201d Mark said.<\/p>\n

They watched as Joaquin worked to get the proper message onto the screen.\u00a0 It took a few seconds but there on the screen appeared a young woman.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was the first message we received,\u201d Joaquin said as the message started.<\/p>\n

Even before the woman spoke the screen went fuzzy and the sound cut out.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026to Earth, have \u2026\u201c it cut out again before he heard some more, \u201c\u2026no reply\u2026appear to be unknown\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The screen went blank making him wonder what might have happened, though he was beginning to think something else happened other than a simple explosion.\u00a0 The next communications came up and similar things.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid they say anything about ships?\u201d Mark asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, yeah, on one of the last ones they seemed to mention something about it.\u00a0 I was unsure if they were talking about a passenger or freighter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark nodded with some understanding, but he wasn\u2019t thinking about civilian ships.\u00a0 \u201cDo we have any pictures of what might have occurred outside the station?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on, it\u2019ll take a few seconds to look,\u201d Joaquin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you thinking?\u201d Hans said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet me HQ at once,\u201d Mark said, having a feeling he was on the right track, and scared if he was.\u00a0 Few people knew about the Dark Race which Toncor and the others spoke of.\u00a0 If it really was then they were out of time and the unknown race had attacked them.<\/p>\n

He watched as Hans hesitated for a second before moving over to another screen and went to work.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry sir, it will take a bit longer to see, things are really scrambled.\u00a0 Whatever happened sure messed things up,\u201d Joaquin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep at it, and let me know the moment you find something,\u201d Mark said moving over to the screen.\u00a0 Richard was already on the screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain?\u201d Richard said, and Mark heard the tone was questioning but also held a bit of worry in it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, what\u2019s the situation on Sierra?\u201d Mark asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve completely lost contact with Sierra,\u201d Richard said.\u00a0 \u201cSome sort of EMP or something.\u00a0 We were just planning sending a ship to check out what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMight want to hold up,\u201d Mark said seeing the admiral\u2019s surprised look.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have something?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cReading the reports and such, I don\u2019t know anything which can do this, except one thing,\u201d Mark said waiting as the admiral thought about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou honestly think so?\u201d he asked, suddenly very concerned.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes sense,\u201d Mark replied.\u00a0 \u201cYou cut communications off, there were reports of lights in the sky before the explosions.\u00a0 The station is also affected by this strange event.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf this is the case then we have a serious problem,\u201d Richard said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain, I have something,\u201d Joaquin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it here,\u201d Mark said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Richard asked confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy communications officer might have found an external camera image of what happened in space around the station,\u201d Mark said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Richard said.<\/p>\n

The screen changed to an image of space.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t really in focus but there was an image of a ship he didn\u2019t recognize.\u00a0 Mark zoomed in on the ship and looked at the pixelated image on his screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is that?\u201d Hans asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is what our friends, the Simians, are running from,\u201d Mark said honestly looking at the ship.\u00a0 He could make an almost triangle shape to the ship.<\/p>\n

In front of him was the enemy he had been warned about.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess there is no doubt,\u201d Richard said, his face appearing back on the screen.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll head off to inform the President.\u00a0 I\u2019m also putting all stations on alert.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark nodded before turning to his own bridge crew who were looking on wondering what was going on.\u00a0 It was time to inform them of the truth he hoped would never happen.<\/p>\n

End part 7<\/p>\n

Continued in part 8<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Master of Violence by AJ Marks Part 7 Jeff watched Toncor\u2019s expression by his answer.\u00a0 The alien had not been expecting to hear such a bold answer, but it was the only one Jeff could give and live with himself.\u00a0 He never was one to back down if confronted and they would be fighting for […]
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