The Thaon Factor Read online

  Momentarily, Alverin is silent as he realizes that any further reply will be difficult. “For the sake of argument,” he begins, “if certain Tavus-Alverand officials wanted your father moved out of the way, it would be so they could take could take control of the extraspatial otivicon. In my view, the misuse of the extraspatial otivicon-despite whatever role the Anatahn may have in this situation-could potentially plunge the entire galaxy into its bloodiest conflict.”

  “This is utterly insane,” Aarath concludes.

  “My father would have never given up his entire work to anyone!”

  “Granted,” Alverin agrees, “your father fiercely opposed anyone who attempted to alter the internal configuration of the extraspatial otivicon. Regardless of how the device was to be used, I was always opposed to it.”

  “Why?” Aarath asks.

  “Aarath, the gravitational forces of a black star are inconceivably more powerful than any of us can even imagine. A black star of substantial mass could swallow the most massive star known to exist.”

  “A hypergiant.” Aarath states.

  “Correct,” Alverin replies. “Research or not, any attempt to manipulate these extremely perilous gravitational forces is tantamount to suicide. There exist forces in the galaxy that are best left alone. Unfortunately, a few of my colleagues and I were terminated because we warned our superiors of the immense danger of continuing with Project Hilexos.”

  “I still do not understand,” Ra’el interrupts. “Daljik engineered the extraspatial otivicon. How could he have been a threat to anyone?”

  “Ra’el, as I stated earlier, Daljik intended for the extraspatial otivicon to be used for astronomical research. With the right internal configuration, the extraspatial otivicon could become the ultimate galactic weapon.”

  “Galactic weapon?” Thanor asks.

  “Yes. Working in unison with a black star’s gravitational forces and a movable extraspatial conduit, the extraspatial otivicon would be the most powerful weapon in the entire galaxy.”

  “And this is true despite the fact that Daljik had full rights to it?” Thanor asks.

  “Yes,” Alverin continues. “Since Daljik had absolute control over it, no one else could alter its internal configuration. Even Selvon had to abide by Daljik’s specifications. Although I am unsure, I am inclined to believe that certain members of the Anatahn, most likely thaon military officials, may have knowledge of the extraspatial otivicon.”

  “If they do,” Aarath remarks, “then this would put a serious restraint on their plan for attacking us.”

  “Provided,” Alverin adds, “that they still believe we have one.”

  “Then what happened?” Ra’el asks while noticing Quafeira’s continued look of anger. Quafeira walks back to her seat and sits back down. She feels that it is all happening all over again. Yet, her burning hope of finding her father alive excites her highly. It would be a momentous point in her life to lovingly, as any eager daughter would, embrace her father.

  “Ra’el, I believe,” Alverin adds, “that certain Tavus-Alverand officials found a willing participant in a grand scheme to acquire full rights to the extraspatial otivicon.”

  “I know! Selvon Jarrak!” Quafeira speaks out loudly.

  “You would probably be correct, although I am thinking of someone else. Regardless, it is no secret that Selvon and Daljik had many disputes over the initial configuration. In time, Selvon was given the opportunity to become Head of Operations.”

  “Apparently then, Selvon felt that Daljik,” Aarath cuts in, “was the only person standing in his way.”

  “Aarath,” Alverin replies, “I like to call your attention to a well-known Genari proverb.”

  “Which one?”

  “Apravian 18:24, which says: ‘Beware my brothers, for no enemy is more dangerous than the one who pretends to be your most loyal and trusted friend.’”

  Quafeira is surprised by Alverin’s recital of that specific passage from the Hăbel.

  “Again, I am truly sorry, Quafeira,” Alverin tells her.

  Ra’el surmises the situation. “Still, we are talking about the deliberate destruction of a ship and her crew. As Aarath had indicated earlier, many people would have had to be involved in this scheme.”

  “From what all of you have revealed,” Alverin adds, “this would implicate key corporate personnel, software writers, programmers, quality assurance personnel and various departmental heads. In all probability, all of this was done under the auspices of one, possibly two individuals.”

  “Most likely,” Quafeira states, “this would include a few government and military officials,” Quafeira states. “Maybe even Deros!”

  “Quafeira,” Alverin continues, “you and your party are now the principal focus of certain unknown officials who are gambling on the idea that you will find the Illasius and by extension, the extraspatial otivicon.”

  “I am worried,” Ra’el responds. “I never though this could happen.”

  “Ra’el, do not be!” Thanor counters. “No one is going to harm or do anything to anyone. Whoever is following us still needs us to find the other extraspatial otivicon before they can attempt anything.”

  “Thanor,” Alverin continues, “I must warn all of you that these people will do anything to obtain the other extraspatial otivicon. Once they have it, they plan on being the only ones returning to Dabenar…alive.”

  “Then I suggest that we find whomever our informant is and take care of him permanently,” Aarath asserts.

  “That we will!” Alverin agrees, much to everyone else’s surprise.

  “Surely you jest. Right?” Ra’el asks with a stunned look.

  “Perhaps not in that manner,” Alverin concludes.

  “However, in light of the present circumstances, I invited an old friend of mine, Gaddeas Azron, to aid us in this quest.”

  “Gaddeas Azron?” Ra’el begins. “Who is Gaddeas Azron?”

  “Ra’el,” Aarath replies calmly, “Gaddeas Azron is the commanding officer of the sixth battle fleet.”

  Chapter 2 Conspirator

  Planet Tallas

  Treth Ressan pilots one of the Astrakis’ shuttles over a specific area in the Maranis Canyon. Located in the northern hemisphere, Maranis Canyon is 400km (248.5mi) in length, 10km (6.21mi) at its widest and 7km (4.35mi) at its deepest. Treth had chosen an area where the canyon floor is only 0.8km (500ft) down. After reducing his speed, he initiates a vertical descent toward the canyon floor.

  Malkan had already begun walking out from among some large boulders just as the Astrakis’ shuttle is touching down on the ground. With a secure grip on his masor rifle, he walks slowly toward the shuttle. The moonlight is his principal illumination. Earlier, as he was walking toward the rendezvous site, Malkan became suspicious of what appeared to be a huge and unusual shaped rock formation approximately two hundred yards in the distance to his right. Via the bright moonlight, Malkan could make out the silhouette of the rock formation. The 50-foot tall rock formation consisted of a huge flat cylindrical head attached to a long neck, which in turn was attached to what appeared to be the upper body. Inwardly, Malkan swore that he could discern what appeared to be a pair of green glowing eyes under the top cylindrical portion.

  The lower portion of the rock formation was hidden behind several enormous sized boulders. For a few moments, Malkan stared nervously at the unusual rock formation. One minute after he had continued walking away, he heard the distinct sound akin to the rumble of heavy boulders in the distance behind him. Malkan froze in his tracks. He carefully set his masor rifle to maximum level, wide continuous beam. Turning around, he raised his rifle. The rock formation was gone. As he kept his masor rifle level, finger on the trigger, he turned in a complete circle. However, he heard no further sounds. Lowering his masor rifle, he continued walking toward the clearing.

  The shuttle hatch opens. The ambient light from the inside illuminates the immediate area ahead. Four heavily armed and stern looking s
ecurity guards accompany Slovas Larian off the shuttle. Malkan lays down his rifle. Slovas stops a few feet short of Malkan. “Give me an update,” he demands. After a brief look back at where the “rock formation” once stood, Malkan removes a storage device from his shirt pocket and gives it to Slovas. “This contains the coordinates of the planet we will be exploring. They are certain that the Illasius is on that alien world.”

  “You are certain that no one suspects you?” Slovas asks.

  Malkan has become acutely aware of Thanor’s suspicions.

  “Yes. In fact, I am among those whom they chose to help lead this mission.”

  “Was there any mention of an extraspatial otivicon?”

  “Yes, there is now conclusive evidence of another extraspatial otivicon. Also, they may be aware that you and your associates are onto them.”

  “How so?”

  “I did not get all the details of what was said at the meeting. Later on, I overheard Quafeira and her fiancée, Aarath Suris, talking about Alverin Sahless of the Holben Institute of Advanced Physics.”

  Slovas becomes angry. “You have Alverin Sahless aboard your ship. Why?”

  “I have no idea. It seems that his visit is related to your firm’s interest in the extraspatial otivicon.”

  “I want to know everything about his visit. I want to know why he chose this particular time to see Quafeira!” Slovas demands.

  Malkan becomes unnerved. “I do not understand. Why are you so uptight about whoever this Alverin Sahless is?”

  Malkan’s seemingly incessant questions anger Slovas even more. “That is none of your business! Your job is to do what I tell you to do. Keep me informed of the situation!”

  “That will present little difficulty.”

  “You better make sure of that!” Slovas warns him. He turns and walks back toward the shuttle. Angered, Malkan feels the compelling urge to pick up his masor rifle and fire it into Slovas’ back.

  The presence of four heavily armed, stern-looking guards compels him to dismiss the idea.

  Aboard The Starship Phesavius

  After emerging from the quantum jump sphere, Ularik orders the helm officer to reduce Phesavius’ forward speed considerably as they approach the planet. Thus, at its present speed, the Phesavius is less than a quarter day’s journey out. All personnel on the control bridge stand silent and eager as they view the alien planet on the forward visual. Ularik motions Braax to do a screen magnification of the planetary image. The Phesavius’ inbound trajectory will eventually move her into the alien planet’s night side.

  Abros Mobren, Phesavius’ science officer, begins a series of planetary analysis scans. After a few minutes, the results prove interesting. All are observing the dominant white, blue and green colors. Several huge landmasses are prominent on opposite extremities of the planetary sphere separated by blue ocean. White clouds cover much of the planet’s surface. “She is just as beautiful as our world,” Quafeira states softly. With mild surprise, Ularik looks at her.

  Aarath, though, is more concerned about something different. “Let us hope that we do not get the kind of reception we received the last time.”

  “On that, I would agree,” Ularik adds. “Neoma! Are you detecting any transmissions from that planet?”

  “I am on it, Commander!” She begins manipulating various controls of her communications console while listening for any indication of artificial transmission signals from the alien planet. Neoma detects no artificially produced transmissions on any of the regular communication channels. She begins a search across a number of older communications bands used by other worlds in the planetary communications database. She is still picking up background noise. Finally, she switches to scanning for the much older artificially created EM transmissions. Suddenly, her visual display comes alive with a jumble of waveforms whose frequencies extended from the high EM band all the way down to the low EM bands.

  “Neoma! What is wrong?” Commander Ularik asks.

  “Commander! I am receiving a tremendous number of signals covering a broad range of frequencies.” Neoma is surprised that the transmissions use archaic signal modulation schemes including amplitude and frequency modulation, pulse, phase and dynamic spectrum-shift modulation. After one quadrillion numerical operations, the Adynatran, a specialized type of signal acquisition and language processing computer, completes the analyzation process. Thus, each individual transmission is scanned for its unique language, processed and stored. The Adynatran deciphers each language and translates it into Ethrosian and Umanji.

  The resulting list of languages intercepted poses a serious challenge for Neoma. “Commander! The language computer indicates at least 542,324 transmissions comprising 4,265 languages. It would be difficult to choose which transmission we could use to talk with whoever could help us.” With a curious look on his face, Ularik faces Quafeira and Aarath. Both understand Ularik’s concern. Quafeira, in particular, understands the magnitude of the challenge that continually faces them all. Although the planet is inhabited, she understands that, much like Dabenar, this planet comprises Indigenous Inhabitants who are multilingual, multicultural and multinational. Still, all are certain that the Illasius either landed or crashed on this planet one-hundred fourteen years ago.

  Within herself, Quafeira feels that somewhere on the planetary surface is her living father. Neoma attempts to isolate the enormous number of transmissions into an organized filing hierarchy.

  “Neoma, choose several random transmissions and put them through on main audio. Translate each one into the Umanji language,” Ularik tells her. Neoma acknowledges her commander. Of the 542,324 transmissions, Neoma selects three. Everyone is surprised at the first transmission. All hear the unmistakable sound of a symphony orchestra. All remain quite as the soothing orchestration plays in its two and one-half minute entirety.

  While looking at Aarath, Quafeira opens her eyes wider in stark surprise. Everyone on the control bridge is listening in awe to the soothing classical music theme. Thanor looks at Ra’el. Ra’el breaks out in a short laugh.

  “Astonishing,” Quafeira states. “I can tell that these people are highly cultured.” After the music ends, a broadcast announcer gives the title of the orchestration; Henry Mancini’s Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet. “

  “Romeo and Juliet!” Aarath reacts. “That is Olendria’s Theme.”

  “You are right,” Thanor agrees. “How is this possible?”

  “Not entirely,” Ra’el tells him, “I can discern marked differences in this particular orchestral arrangement.”

  Neoma switches to the next incoming transmission. The bridge crew now hears the sound of a cheering crowd followed by a solitary speaker: “…but I assume the presidency under extraordinary circumstances never before experienced by Americans. This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.”

  “What is this presidency? And whom are these Americans of which he speaks?” Thanor asks.

  “If these aliens follow the same pattern as the Surăvians,” Ularik suggests, “then I believe that these Americans may be people of a specific nationality.” Neoma chooses a final transmission, which contains only a fast series of short and long high frequency audio tones interspersed by equal periods of silence.

  Neoma is confused as to the meaning of this form of transmission. “Unlike planet Akrosia,” Mobren begins, “this planet is quite different.” As the planetary data streams into his computer station, Mobren continues to note various and interesting aspects of the planet.

  “Mobren, are they sending up any attack vessels?”

  “Negative, Commander!” Mobren answers after a brief scan. “Yet, sensors detect numerous metallic objects, most likely satellites, of various sizes orbiting this planet.”

  Ularik sits back in his chair and wonders. “Neoma, are you able to send a hail to the one who has that auvisuon?”

  “Negative, Commander. All attempts to raise whoever is in possession of the auvisuon have fa
iled.” Ularik stands up out of his seat and motions the others to follow him into his private meeting room. In the room, Ularik looks across the table at Quafeira. “There are a few things going on here that I do not fully understand.”

  “Commander, I understand your concern. Yet, I am certain we have reached the planet that my father is on.”

  “By now, how old would your father be?”

  “He would be one hundred and fifty years old. Why do you ask?”

  “Even if your father has survived all this time on this alien world, why would he send random data requests? After all these years, why would he choose this particular time to begin transmitting? He could have called for a rescue ship long before now.”

  “Commander, I understand what may have happened when we were on Tallas,” Quafeira admits. “I also realize that even if it is not my father, as Aarath had suggested, then whoever is using my father’s auvisuon must know of his location.” Aarath is surprised at Quafeira’s new conclusion.

  “I agree,” Thanor interrupts. “At whatever time this individual begins transmitting, then we can pinpoint his exact location.”

  “Then, how do we proceed?” Ra’el asks. “Do we land a shuttle in his front yard, introduce ourselves and begin asking questions?”

  “We are aware of the difficulties, Ra’el,” Aarath asserts with a frown. Ra’el is irked by Aarath’s statement.

  “If the Commander is willing,” Aarath states, “I suggest that we remain in orbit and plan this operation carefully. This may take a day or more.”