{"id":2417,"date":"2018-04-07T07:22:48","date_gmt":"2018-04-07T12:22:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2417"},"modified":"2018-04-15T07:15:36","modified_gmt":"2018-04-15T12:15:36","slug":"master-of-violence-part-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2417","title":{"rendered":"Master of Violence – Part 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

Part 10<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jeff made his way into the room having been called quickly.\u00a0 He felt he should get used to such events considering the situation going on recently.\u00a0 Inside the room was the familiar figures, the admiral, Isa and a new person, another two senators who were part of the defense council.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Jeff asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have some information from Sierra,\u201d Richard said surprising Jeff.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat information?\u201d Isa asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears that Captain Mark Pappas has a niece who lives on Sierra,\u201d Richard stated.\u00a0 \u201cApproximately ninety minutes ago he received a text from her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was under the impression all communications was blocked from Sierra, how could he have gotten something?\u201d one of the other senators, Greg asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what we thought as well, but all indications are it came from Sierra,\u201d Richard said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does it say?\u201d Jeff asked, wondering what type of information they might receive.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat, I\u2019m afraid won\u2019t be much use to us, only that she was telling her uncle she was safe, but in the forest,\u2019 Richard said.\u00a0 \u201cWe looked at the maps, there is a large forest to the east of the main town where she lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeff looked on as a map appeared showing the town.\u00a0 \u201cWe tracked the signal back to this tower,\u201d Richard said as a dot appeared.\u00a0 \u201cIt seemed there is a satellite still functioning in orbit, but why this signal came though when none of the others did is a mystery.\u00a0 Our intel states that during the invasion the invades jammed communications.\u00a0 Its possible they have dropped such jamming thinking everything was destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny other towers working?\u201d Jeff asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re working on that right now,\u201d Richard replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis hasn\u2019t done too much, but very interesting,\u201d Isa said.\u00a0 \u201cIt could mean this race is leaning to trying to integrate us into their empire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why jam the communications?\u201d Jeff asked challenging Isa on this one.<\/p>\n

Jeff didn\u2019t believe that such actions were a part of a race making an invitation into an empire.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps they don\u2019t know better, or expecting some violence,\u201d Isa said.\u00a0 \u201cI expect we\u2019ll learn more when we actually meet with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you expect to continue on the path of meeting with this group?\u201d Jeff asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut of course, we shouldn\u2019t abandon such a path due to this small problem,\u201d Isa said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s difficult for me to accept that a group like this would be so violent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeff didn\u2019t reply and looked on at the others.\u00a0 Richard looked concerned and Greg did as well, but the other senator didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if they are not peaceful?\u201d Richard finally asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s your escape plan?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt I need one,\u201d Isa finally replied.\u00a0 \u201cI have everything set up, and we\u2019ll be going in the next couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeff realized there wasn\u2019t anything he could say to change Isa\u2019s mind.\u00a0 The man had made up his mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you go to your death,\u201d Greg said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I doubt that,\u201d the other senator said.\u00a0 Jeff realized he was a younger senator, a first term and one who he really didn\u2019t know much about.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are willing to bet, not only your life, but the life of every crew member you take with you?\u201d Greg said.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s almost egotistical to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeff noticed Isa\u2019s miffed face as he turned in anger towards Greg.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there is a chance for peace, do we not try for it?\u201d Isa asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhy must we move ahead with violence and war when we know nothing about who they are.\u00a0 It seems that the person who is egotistical is you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeff watched the two men for several seconds before standing and saying something he really didn\u2019t feel.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re both right,\u201d he said to them turning to look at Isa.\u00a0 \u201cYou do go and see, but ignoring the danger isn\u2019t wise.\u201d\u00a0 Now he turned towards Greg.\u00a0 \u201cAnd we do go and see what the truth really is.\u201d<\/p>\n

They sat there for a few seconds and Jeff had a feeling neither of them really had changed their minds.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe question is how can we ensure both contact and safety.\u00a0 After all, if they turn out to not be hostile we\u2019ll need the intelligence and for you to return safely,\u201d Jeff said to them before looking at Richard.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll need a ship capable of a quick turnaround,\u201d Richard said finally.\u00a0 \u201cThat way you\u2019ll have a chance to get out if they do turn hostile.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeff heard Isa scoff slightly at the hostile part even as Richard continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also think there should only be enough crew members to man the critical areas needed, limit the number of people in danger,\u201d Richard said giving it some thought.\u00a0 \u201cAnd instead of exiting the jump in the normal area, do so a bit further away to allow yourself time to assess the situation.\u00a0 If you are right, and they are peaceful, then there will be nothing to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeff looked over at Isa who seemed to be thinking it over.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, I see no other way, and you\u2019ll push this with the President who will likely agree with you,\u201d Isa finally said.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember, we\u2019re also trying to look out for your safety as well.\u00a0 We want you to return safely back regardless of which of us is right,\u201d Richard said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re safe return is essential to my own plans.\u00a0 I need any information you can give, peaceful or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I daresay that communications will probably be back up by the time I get there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Jeff said but had already mentally prepared for the worse.\u00a0 He had a feeling Isa would encounter a race bent on conquest, not peaceful expansion.\u00a0 He only hoped Isa recognized that before he killed everyone who volunteered for this mission.<\/p>\n

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

Angie looked around bored.\u00a0 They had been here now for a day and Jack was actually quite skilled at catching fish and despite her reservations about the guy, he was actually quite adept in doing things.<\/p>\n

“So what did you do before all this?\u201d Angie asked as he checked on the fishing line and looked over at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cSchool,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cWas taking summer classes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUgh, why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTaking English One and Two,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cRepeating it?\u201d Angie asked before she could stop herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, took remedial English first, never was my subject,\u201d he replied sitting down.\u00a0 \u201cI hate English, all the stupid stories, proper grammar and such.\u00a0 Take this poem and tell me what you think.\u201d He gave a small chuckle.\u00a0 \u201cWhat I see is almost never what anyone else sees.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would have thought you would have liked that type of stuff,\u201d Angie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNah, computer gaming, that\u2019s what I like,\u201d Jack replied.\u00a0 \u201cIts what I\u2019m going for in my degree.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Angie replied knowing she couldn\u2019t mention what games were out at the moment.\u00a0 Sure, her last boyfriend was into games, and talked about them but she really didn\u2019t listen to what he said about it.\u00a0 When he was more into a game then spending time together she decided it was time to move on.\u00a0 \u201cWell, not really sure I like games.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever found one you liked?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast boyfriend spend more time with that game system than me,\u201d Angie said.<\/p>\n

The comment seemed to take Jack by surprise as he looked over at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen he\u2019s an idiot,\u201d Jack replied before quickly looking away.<\/p>\n

Angie had a feeling he still liked her.\u00a0 As things went silent again she pulled out her phone and looked at it hoping it would provide something.\u00a0 Or somehow, magically, would be connected again.<\/p>\n

\u201cUgh, battery is down to forty percent,\u201d she said going to turn it off when she noticed something.\u00a0 \u201cStrange.\u201d<\/p>\n

She pulled up the texts and noticed that while her text to her mother had not gone though, the one to her uncle had.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe text I sent to my uncle, it went through,\u201d she said and was joined quickly by Jack.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I see,\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Angie reluctantly handed her phone over as he quickly seemed to go though some things.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou seem to know how to go through things on the phone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPart of the programming, I designed a game while still in high school, the mobile market is hot,\u201d he replied before looking up.\u00a0 \u201cThe time it was sent correlates with when we were searching the ruins.\u00a0 However, we don\u2019t have a signal here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u00a0 Can we communicate with Earth?\u201d Angie asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s possible,\u201d Jack said obviously thinking about something.\u00a0 \u201cTurn off your phone that will preserve the battery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, okay,\u201d Angie said, turning off the phone.\u00a0 She looked over to see that he had gone silent and ridged.\u00a0 She rose only to have him hold up a hand and seemed to be listening closely.<\/p>\n

\u201cHide,\u201d he suddenly said taking her with him.<\/p>\n

Angie scrambled towards the hideout Jack had told her about when they returned and it was brighter out.\u00a0 She made her way in followed by Jack as they looked out into the forest.<\/p>\n

She heard nothing and for a second had a feeling he was hearing things when she heard the crunch of a branch.\u00a0 A few seconds later a lot more noise.\u00a0 Whoever was approaching didn\u2019t seem to be hiding their approach one bit.<\/p>\n

Looking down the river bank she spotted several figures, about a half dozen of them.\u00a0 In the daylight she noticed they had green skin, and that bony ridge Mohawk.\u00a0 They were all dressed in blue uniforms, which did nothing to camouflage themselves in the forest.<\/p>\n

The group seemed to move around a bit more, fanning out and looking around even as a couple of them made their way closer to where she and Jack were.\u00a0 They got closer and she could now hear the grunts of their language, but didn\u2019t understand any of it.<\/p>\n

The way they looked around, it was like they were nervous about something.\u00a0 They stood for several seconds looking around when one jumped up and down suddenly yelling bringing the others to where he was, and in general closer to where they were.\u00a0 She felt Jack tense up a bit even as the others helped the other guy.<\/p>\n

She watched as he stripped out of his pants and shoes to brush off something.<\/p>\n

\u201cFire ants,\u201d Jack whispered.<\/p>\n

Angie smirked slightly but said nothing knowing how bad the ants were.<\/p>\n

They watched as the one alien suddenly stiffened and fell down.\u00a0 The others picked him up and started talking quickly as they went running off in a hurry.\u00a0 After several minutes Angie began to get a bit uncomfortable being so close to Jack for so long feeling a bit relieved when he finally moved out of their hiding spot.<\/p>\n

She made her way over to where the alien had been standing and sure enough, there was a mound of ants, but more interesting was the fact the aliens had left behind his, or hers, pants and weapon.<\/p>\n

\u201cInteresting,\u201d Jack said inspecting it closely, but she also noticed he was handling it very cautiously.\u00a0 She wouldn\u2019t have touched it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot like any human weapon, wonder what it fires,\u201d Jack said, inspecting it a bit more.\u00a0 \u201cWe might be able to use this for self-defense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey seemed to leave in a hurry,\u201d Angie said.<\/p>\n

She watched as Jack seemed to be thinking about something.\u00a0 \u201cWho is your uncle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUncle Mark, oh, he\u2019s in the military,\u201d Angie replied feeling slightly embarrassed by that. \u00a0It wasn\u2019t something she was proud of despite the fact she loved her uncle a lot.\u00a0 He was always there for her, and listened to her rants about her mother.\u00a0 However, when she said military Jack didn\u2019t look back at her not with the typical disdain, but relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow high up, can he get messages to intelligence?\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the captain of the Enterprise,\u201d Angie finally said looking down not expecting the hug.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s wonderful,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cCouldn\u2019t have been any better unless he was the admiral, or a senator.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angie frowned wondering what the big deal was.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d he said, leading her away.<\/p>\n

End part 10<\/p>\n

Continued in part 11<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Master of Violence by AJ Marks Part 10 Jeff made his way into the room having been called quickly.\u00a0 He felt he should get used to such events considering the situation going on recently.\u00a0 Inside the room was the familiar figures, the admiral, Isa and a new person, another two senators who were part of […]
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