The Khruellian Encounter Read online

  Jon made a noise that on Earth would have been considered impolite. “Is it in your nature to become a subject species?” he asked, looking at all the Alphans in turn.

  An agitated conversation spread through the assembly. This was not a new conversation. It seemed to Jon that this conversation was the single dividing element in an otherwise peaceful, stable society. After a spirited exchange between Kreeg, Leader of the Social Disciplines and Ruuhr, Kreeg stood and addressed the humans. “You have touched on the subject that has divided us for many millenniums, Captain Mckinnah. I am the leader of the segment of our society that wants to take action. Others among us want our society to remain bystanders.”

  When Kreeg did not elaborate on his statement, Jon said, “I believe the choice is neither yours nor theirs to make., It will be made for you by the Khruellians.”

  A profound silence settled over the group while they contemplated the reality of Jon’s simple truth. Into his silence, he said, “In the early days of Earth’s move toward democracy, a citizen described the choice you face. When threatened by a much larger force bent on destroying his country, he said, “Give me liberty or give me death.”

  After an extended silence, Kreeg said, “Can you teach those of us who want to take action how to fight?”

  Jon’s wolfish grin was probably not understood by the Alphans, but his words and, their meaning were clear. “I am a McKinnah, and the McKinnahs have learned how to protect their clan and how to fight for their rights.”

  Chapter 22

  Space Command, Newhope

  As soon as Islandia II dropped into space near Newhope, the com unit lit up faster than normal. When he and Mark Russell had returned to Islandia II, Jon had sent a Flash-com to Admiral Dexter with an audio/video recording of all the proceedings at Alpha Tau Alpha. He and Mark had discussed their next step, and at Jon’s urging, Mark had taken his ship back to Earth to give a full report to his boss, Hector Andreas Gavito, Secretary of the Department of Future Public Welfare. From his conversation with Annika, Jon was aware of the Secretary’s secret objectives, obtain a separate FTL drive and find inhabitable worlds for Earth’s excess population. Mark had succeeded at neither but instead had brought back potentially a far larger problem.

  Jon was unaware of Annika’s fate as a result of her failure to complete the mission given her by Secretary Gavito. He assumed she would have been assigned to a Terran Federation ship, perhaps her own somewhere in Earth’s solar system. He didn’t get too much time to think about her because of the bombshell he had delivered to Admiral Dexter. The second and third messages out of the com unit confirmed the first message, report to the admiral’s office ASAP. He gave Lieutenant Burns the command chair through the landing procedure. She would be up for her own ship soon, and Jon gave her as many opportunities as possible to exercise her leadership skills.

  As soon as the hull touched ground, Jon disembarked with his gear. The task of seeking ground transportation was solved by the presence of a vehicle with flashing red lights. As soon as Jon was seated, the driver sped toward the command center without comment. He thanked the driver and instructed him to take his gear to the BOQ,, the Bachelor Officer’s Quarters. Jon made his way to the command center elevator. Captain Ben King, the admiral’s aide was waiting for him when the elevator door opened on the top floor.

  “Welcome home, Jon,” is said with a genuine smile. They had gone through the academy together and had been roommates their freshman year. Both could tell enough embarrassing stories about each other’s off-duty escapades to keep a crowd entertained for an evening. “I don’t need to tell you that he’s expecting you.”

  “I gathered that from the terse messages telling me to get my ass up here ASAP,” Jon said with a grin.

  “Yep,” Ben said semi-seriously, “You stirred up a hornet’s nest.”

  Jon assumed that Ben had the admiral’s complete confidence and would know the content of the message he had sent from Alpha Tau Alpha. All the humor was gone when he said, “I would sharpen my sword if I were you, Ben. We have big troubles on the horizon.”

  Admiral Dexter’s concern for the situation was immediately apparent when Ben escorted Jon into his office. After a hasty return salute, the admiral quickly began to question Jon for additional details about the threat from the Khruellian Hegemony. He asked for Jon’s opinions and gut feelings on every salient point. One area where he questioned Jon the most was his opinion on how much time they had to prepare a defense.

  Jon had thought a lot about the same subject since he had left the Alphan assembly. The aliens had not been able to be more specific other than to say they expected the Khruellians to discover the worlds in the Orion-Cygnus galactic arm sometimes in the next seven solar cycles, approximately four-and-a-half earth years. Based on the distance the CSF was from Alpha-Tau-Alpha, they did not think the CSF was in immediate danger of discovery. They also admitted the Khruellian Hegemony could bypass them, preferring instead to concentrate on conquering the stars in the Perseus arm and ignore the small Orion-Cygnus cluster.

  Admiral Dexter finally sat back in his chair and asked Jon, “How do you think the Alphans will defend themselves?”

  Jon was blunt in his assessment. “I don’t believe they can defend themselves, Sir, nor do I believe we can defend the Confederation.”

  In the silence that followed, Admiral Dexter looked at the young officer who had just expressed what he also secretly believed based on what he, had read, heard and seen. Admirals were not in the habit of asking captain grade officers for their opinion on tactical matters, but Dexter recognized that Jon was an exceptional officer who had witnessed the Alphans’ panic first hand. He asked, “What are your recommendations, Captain McKinnah?”

  “Conduct a series of diversionary attack to lead the Khruellians away from the Orion Arm,” Jon said with certainty. “We have a strategic advantage with our IS-Drive. The Alphans apparently can reconnoiter at will. I do not know the capabilities of the other potential allies, but I don’t think our combined forces can beat the Khruellians in head to head combat. There are simply too many of them.”

  When Admiral Dexter didn’t reply to Jon’s statement, he took it as permission to continue. “The Khruellians have no idea of our existence. I think we should get jump points from the Alphans for targets deep inside the Khruellian hegemony and launch surprise attacks against their infrastructure. Maybe it will distract them long enough for us to prepare a strategic attack on their homeworlds.”

  For the first time since Jon arrived, some signs of humor appeared on the admiral’s face. “I suppose you want to lead those attacks, right, Captain McKinnah?”

  Jon had gone too far to back down now, “You’re damn right, Sir,” he said with feeling.

  “You may get your opportunity, Captain McKinnah,” Admiral said softly while he looked out his office window at the array of warships in port. After a pause, he said, “Then there’s the moral dilemma of attacking a civilization that has not attacked us first.”

  Jon had struggled with the same thought since leaving Alpha-Tau-Alpha, but then he had considered the alternative and had made his decision. The admiral had not asked for his opinion on the moral dilemma that was sure to be discussed before any action was taken, but he decided to offer it anyway. “I can only speak for myself, Admiral Dexter, but Islandia and Newhope are my homes, and the CSF is my country. If they are truly threatened by this menace, then I have no problem fighting them in any way, in any manner, under any deception that will keep my homeworlds and my country safe.”

  Admiral Dexter turned and studied Jon. The young Captain’s resolve was unmistakable, and at that moment, the admiral knew he could ask Jon to do anything short of slaughtering civilians, and the young man would strap on his weapons and report to duty.

  He said, “Give your crew a three-day pass, but you stand by to report your findings to the general assembly. That will be all, Captain McKinnah.

  Jon rose and saluted his Commander-i
n-Chief. Ben escorted him out of the office and said he would meet him at the Officer’s Club that evening for drinks. Still, in a little bit of a daze at his brazen outburst, Jon rode a crew transport out to his ship. He and Penny discussed who would remain on board and who would get to kick up their heels in Newhope City. Within an hour the Islandia II was empty except for a minimal crew. Jon apologized to Penny about asking her to stay aboard. Usually, he would stay and let her visit her boyfriend, but Jon had been told to stay in the BOQ in case other department heads wanted to talk to him about the Khruellians before he met with the General Assembly.

  “No problem, Sir, she said easily. “I’ve got some studying to do for my Captain’s test. This will give me the opportunity to get it done.”

  Jon shook her hand and said, “Study hard, Penny. I believe the CSF is going to need a lot of new captains in the very near future.”

  Once settled in the BOQ, Jon called his aunt’s office to see if she was on Newhope. Her aide informed him Ambassador McKinnah had just returned from Earth. He was surprised to learn that his parents and his grandparents were still on Newhope. He knew they stayed at the Commander’s old residence whenever either pair was on Newhope. He called his father com unit and was rewarded with his mother’s cheery hello. “Come over for lunch,” she ordered, and Jon readily accepted when he considering his alternative was BOQ food.

  When Talo admitted him a flood of memories washed over Jon. He had spent a lot of time in this residence as a child. His Aunt Samantha had been his babysitter on many occasions. He remembered looking out his grandfather’s office window and imagining himself being captain of one of the many spaceships that came and went from the adjacent field. Grandma Marcia met him in the hall and gave him a great big hug. “How’s that wonderful lady friend of yours doing?” she asked.

  Jon wasn’t offended this time at her intrusion into his personal love life. The fact was, he was anxious to learn where Annika had been assigned. “I don’t know, Gran. I haven’t heard from here since she left for Earth.”

  “Pity,” his grandmother said with a twinkle in her eye. “I’m sure you’ll run into her again. Come, everybody is in the living room.”

  Knowing how his grandmother could manipulate people and schedules, he half expected to see Annika sitting in the living room. He was glad to see his scattered family there and disappointed not to see Annika. “Now that was wishful thinking,” he thought as they sat down at the dining room table to a spread of traditional Islandian food, fried fin-fish, and steamed vegetables.

  After lunch, the men retired to the den to enjoy some Evenian brandy and to listen to Jon’s description of his most recent assignment. These two men, his father, and grandfather had both served as the CSF’s Commanders-in-Chief. Jonathon Senior could easily have been the CSF’s first president but had declined the honor to serve as the first commander of the Confederation Space Force. His father, Jonathon James Junior was the undisputed hero of the Muhyba wars and had risen to the commander-in-chief rank, following in his father’s footsteps. Jonathon or JonJon the third had no problems discussing his mission with these men. No doubt the current Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Dexter would be seeking their opinion in the next couple of days.

  After listening without commenting, Jonathon Senior asked his grandson, “You consider his threat to be extremely serious, don’t you?”

  “More serious than the Muhybas, Granddad,” Jon answered with conviction.

  “That’s pretty serious,” Jonathon Junior commented.

  Senior got to the point, “Do you think we can defeat them?”

  “I don’t think so, Sir, but if we act decisively I think we can deflect them until a future time when we might be better prepared,” Jon answered with a deliberate emphasis on the word ‘act.’

  Jon had been running that subject over and over in his mind since he had left Alpha Tau Alpha. One of the things he had gathered in his meeting with the Alphans was a sense the Khruellians had had their own way for so long they had become complacent. Ruuhr had told them the Khruellian ships were armed with only a minimum of defense weapons because they had only encountered minimal resistance for the last ten millenniums. As far as Jon was concerned that was an opportunity that should not be overlooked. He was also aware that such a situation would change quickly once the Khruellian ships were attacked. The trick for the CSF would be to use that window of opportunity in such a way as to redirect the Khruellian expansion away from The CSF and give them and their yet-to-be allies enough time to develop a defense to hold off the Khruellians in the future. An awful lot of luck would be involved in making it happen the way he envisioned it.

  Senior was studying his grandson with an unreadable expression. Jon was still in awe of the man even though he, Jon was the captain of an advanced spaceship, in fact, the most advanced spaceship in the CSF fleet. Nothing he had done in the ten years since graduating from the academy could compare to the adventures his grandfather and father had experienced.

  “What do you think, Granddad?” he asked after a minute long silence.

  Jonathon looked from his grandson to his son and back before saying, “Based on what you’ve told me, I think you’re correct in your assessment, Jon. I also think you are going to need help. When you’re through speaking to the General Assembly, I want you to fly to Islandia with me. I’ll make the arrangements with Admiral Dexter.”

  Jon was unsure what kind of help his grandfather was speaking of, but he trusted him and his father totally. He knew if his grandfather had wanted him to know what kind of help he was talking about, he would have told him already. Patience around his superiors was one of the first lessons he had learned growing up in the McKinnah households.

  The three McKinnah men were joined by the women, and together they discussed the situation until dark. At the end of the evening, the general consensus was the CSF was going to need help and should explore the capabilities of these potential allies as soon as possible. Any defense or offense should start with a good inventory of the available weapons. Jon was certain their opinion would reach the ears of the most important people in the CSF; there was just too much influence in this small group to be ignored. When he returned to the BOQ, there was a message waiting for him to report to Admirals Dexter’s office at eight AM and to be prepared to discuss his last mission with key members of the General Assembly. The wheels of war had been set in motion.

  Chapter 23

  Vajrashila

  Annika completed her report to Vice Admiral Estes. He had not asked any questions while he read her presentation of evidence supporting her theory of how the plants and animals of Vajrashila hunted or defended themselves. He reread a portion of her report before saying, “Very well done, Masterson. Your theory is well supported by evidence, and I am inclined to accept it as part of my official report. I’m sure the labs at Gruenwald will find your documentation very helpful.”

  Annika felt a sense of relief. The Captain was not an easy person to read. That, coupled with her newness in the CSF had given her a few restless nights. Her normal self-assuredness had been tested since she had been assigned to the CSF Enderson, but she was beginning to feel comfortable and part of the organization.

  “Will there be anything else, Sir?” she asked when the silence stretched out.

  Captain Estes put the report down and said, “I believe that will do it, Commander. Please make sure the specimens are secured for transport and prepare the ship for return to Newhope.

  She couldn’t keep the smile off her face, “Aye, aye, Sir.”

  The news that the ship was returning to base spread rapidly through the hull, and everyone got a little extra zip in their step as they prepared for departure. Most of the crew members were comfortable in space, but all of them relished their time in port. Some had families, but all had somebody waiting for them at either Newhope or one of, the other CSF worlds. Annika’s family was on Earth, and it was unlikely she would get enough leave time to be able to see them. The only o
ther people she knew in Newhope were the McKinnahs, Jon and his family. Aside from Jon, who was probably out on assignment, there was no one in the McKinnah family she felt comfortable enough to call or visit without Jon being there. She decided if she had any time in port she would do some sightseeing. She had been told that Newhope City was a beautiful place with many shops and restaurants from all over the Confederation.

  Three days later the CSF Enderson left Vajrashila. Cleric-General Bradley-Kinsley and two members of his staff accompanied them with intentions to seek membership in the Confederation of Independent Planets. The scientists aboard the Enderson had devised a headband to protect the Vajrashilans from the random thoughts of the crew members. The unregulated thoughts of many thousands of people could easily overwhelm the Vajrashilans, who were used to a society that could shield its’ private thoughts. Annika expected a lively reception for the Vajrashilans when they landed on Newhope, but first, they were going to detour through Islandia to drop off the scientists and the specimens of Vajrashilan plants and animals.

  A day later they touched down at Command Center on Newhope amid a swirl of activity. Tensions were high, and Annika did not know the reasons, nor did any of the ground personnel assigned to their ship. The ground command officer said something about unusual alien contact but had nothing more to offer. In the flurry of activity, Anita failed to notice the sleek black spaceship across the field from the Enderson. After securing the ship for portside, she released part of the crew for a three-day pass and returned to her quarters to catch up on some long-delayed correspondence. Several hours later, a crewman delivered a message to her quarters requesting her attendance at an orientation for newly inducted Terran Federation officers. The uniform specified was Class A with instructions to be prepared to attend a dinner after the orientation. She had three hours to get ready.

  Precisely at five PM, local time a personnel transporter dropped her off at the auditorium adjacent to the officers club. She entered and joined a crowd of approximately fifty other former TFSF officers, some of whom she recognized. One, in particular, a Commander Edward Willard came over immediately and gave her a hug. They had once had a brief affair, but the demands on junior officers in the Terran Space Force had not allowed enough time for the affair to blossom into anything more than a casual encounter. She was both glad and sorry to see him there, fearing his presence might sabotage any chance she might have to spend some time with Jon McKinnah if he was attending the ceremony.