Intervention
"Captain Maris of the Solnoid vessel Valkyrie. Commander Drel of the Paranoid Seventh Fleet. I am Marcus Newman, of the Solnarian Federation. I have stopped your ships in space, in the hope that we can reach a ceasefire accord. For too long, many millions of your fellows have been lost in your senseless fighting - and now you have encroached on systems where we reside, visiting your need for destruction upon us as well. This is a situation that we cannot tolerate, so we are going to help you put an end to it."
Maris sniffed at the image in front of her, amused at the thought. "And how do you plan to do that, exactly?"
"My people are adept at resolving conflicts," Marcus explained. "We can dispatch intermediaries and arbitrators to help with yours. Wherever there is conflict, the cause is a simple failure to communicate and understand each other – we can help you break the barriers that have kept your two peoples apart for such a long time, and show you both how to benefit from your differences, rather than seeing them as something harmful."
Standing slightly behind him, Shildy took his hand and squeezed it with a smile...
Maris seethed. This upstart is trying to dictate to US how we conduct ourselves? The NERVE! In her rage, she noticed the display console before her light up – she read the text.
We have managed to bypass the alien's override locally. From the Engineering Officer. We can communicate without it overhearing – what are your orders?
Good work, Maris typed, hiding her movements from sight, Can you communicate with the other ships?
Negative – this ship only.
That will have to do, thought Maris, hopefully, the other commanders will figure it out on their own. Send a message to Weapons Control – have them rig all missiles for manual launch. Target all of the Enemy vessels and await my order.
That will take some time, Captain...
I will keep the alien talking. Inform me when preparations are complete. And do whatever you can to contact the other ships.
Affirmative.
In the Paranoid flagship, Drel entertained similar thoughts.
I will NOT allow this renegade to rob me of my victory! If I have to lose the new ship, I will – but I will not go down without a fight!
Using a talent unique to his people, Drel vibrated his speech-tendrils rapidly enough to speak in a frequency that could not be detected by Solnoid ears. Contact Weapons Control, he buzzed, Have them prepare all missiles for launch. Hemispherical dispersal, centered on the lead Solnoid ship.
Sir? His Second-Officer buzzed in response.
This is our best opportunity to obliterate that entire fleet – while they're helpless.
But Sir! Our computers are inoperative!
Use the manual override, fool! Disconnect the computer links entirely if you have to – but do it!
Yes, Sir!
I will stall the alien until you inform me that everything is ready...
"An intriguing offer, ali... excuse me – Marcus," Maris said in a soothing tone that would, she hoped, allow the others to lower their guard. How do you propose to do this?"
"And what would we gain from agreement?" Drel added.
"As I said," Marcus answered, "I can send for trained negotiators to meet with your leaders in a neutral setting. If you are willing to agree to a ceasefire, here and now, they could be here in a matter of days. From there, I'm sure that a permanent peace treaty could be arranged in less than a year."
Hidden behind her visor, Maris sniffed in disgust.
"As for what you gain – we have found that cooperation and commerce between different races can be extremely beneficial, to all involved. Some of our best innovations – improved Lightspeed travel, for instance – have come about because the various races within our Federation have shared their ideas... rather than keeping them to ourselves."
Drel rumbled, barely audibly.
"This is just one example of what friendly alliances can do for you. And this is what we're offering to you, if you're brave enough to take that first step."
Captain – Weapons Control reports that all missiles are ready for manual launch. Also – we used an old light-beam signaller to contact the other ships... they are a little behind in preparations, but will be ready shortly. We just need a few moments more.
Excellent work. The Enemy won't know what hit them. I will try to make the alien show itself – target that ship as well.
Captain? What about the turncoats? And the spy?
A needful loss – we can blame their destruction on the Enemy.
Aye, Captain.
Sir! Preparations are complete! We have established optical communications with the other ships, and they stand ready to fire as well.
Very well. Once I have lured the renegade into revealing itself, you will fire on it as well.
But sir – what of capturing the renegade ship intact?
It does not matter. Better to destroy it ourselves, than let those damned Solnoids keep it.
Yes, sir!
"You speak of bravery," Maris said, "while refusing to show yourself to us."
"Indeed," Drel droned in agreement. "For all we know, you are as trapped in this region of space as we are. We have no way of knowing if you are behind this, or if you are sincere in your talk with us."
"If you mean what you say," Maris contined, "then show us. Reveal to us just what you are, and we will take you up on your word."
On their screens, the image of Marcus looked at Shildy, who nodded once. "All right," he said, and closed his eyes...
As he did so, a second projection screen popped open in front of Maris and Drel. They looked out on a vast expanse of space, the same image they had seen before everything blacked out. But it appeared to be slightly different – blurred and shimmering – as they continued to watch. Seconds later, the shimmering effect split apart, revealing an immense installation... appearing to be over twenty kilometres in length, the tapered cylinder had six blade-like appendages adorning the wide end. To Maris, it resembled an ancient Solnoid battle-clubs that were described in the early history texts.
"Even High Leader Journey doesn't have a ship that size!" the Sensor-operator whistled.
"QUIET!" Maris barked. Impressive, yes – but size isn't everything.
Are the ships ready to launch? She typed.
Awaiting your order... came the reply.
Stand by... she commanded...
"That is larger than Supremat Born's flagship!" exclaimed a voice that Drel couldn't identify.
"SILENCE!" Drel bellowed, holding back his own unease. We've defeated larger, he thought, we just have to find the weak spot...
Stand ready to launch, he silently ordered, Target a dozen missiles at the junction points of that installation.
Sir?
DO IT! Fire on my order!
Marcus, opening his eyes, looked directly at them through his projection. "There you are," he said, "do you like what you see?"
"Impressive," Drel simply noted.
"I stand corrected," Maris admitted slowly, "What else do you have to say?"
"By revealing this station, I've performed an act of Good Faith for these discussions," Marcus told them. "Now, in return, I'd like a similar act from both of you."
"What would you have us do?" Drel asked.
"You could disarm the missiles that you have targeted on each other, rigged for manual launch," he said flatly.
"WHAT?" exclaimed Drel and Maris in unison.
"WHAT?" cried Shildy, Spea, Amy, and Catty.
"Your ships are connected to mine," Marcus explained, "And I am connected to my ship. I heard and saw everything that you've been planning. I am compelled to warn you that your plans will not work, because..."
"OPEN FIRE!" Drel and Maris shouted.
"NO!" Shildy shouted at the screen, thrusting her hand forward in an attempt to stop what she knew was about to happen.
"No..." Marcus whispered.
No sooner had Maris ordered the launch, when her ship shook violently. Alarms screamed for attention, as the images before her vanished. "What's going on?" she demanded.
"Captain!" her Engineer cried out, "the launch-bay doors failed to open! The missiles are exploding INSIDE the ship!"
"DAMN!" It KNEW, she realized. It knew, and it let us get caught in our own trap! I have underestimated it, this whole time!
The ship rocked, as secondary explosions spread the length and breadth of the Valkyrie. She couldn't see it, but Maris knew that the rest of her ships would be suffering the same fate.
"Jamming cleared!" she heard someone shout. "Sending distress call!" She never determined who the brave Officer was, as flame swept through the bridge an instant later.
Her scream of defiance was drowned out as the forward section of the bridge blasted apart, spewing the air out into space with a deafening roar. Through the broken hull, she saw the rest of her ships being blown apart, before she was blown out the hole, into the void...
Bits of debris fell from above Drel, as distant explosions reached him.
"SIR!" his Second-Officer cried out, "The missiles failed to launch! Warhead detonations are setting off a chain-reaction of explosions, heading out way!"
DAMN that alien monstrosity! Drel cursed silently. It deliberately led us here, so that those damnable Solnoids could do this to us! I don't know how they did it – but somehow, they did...
Standing stoic, he closed his eyes just before the upper deck fell on him...
Horrified, Marcus and the others watched as every ship blew apart in expanding balls of flame.
"What... what happened?" Amy squeaked.
Marcus sighed. "The tractor fields act like a skin around each ship, locking every part in place at the subatomic level. Doors can't be opened while the field is energized." He looked at Shildy, a tear running down his cheek. "I'm sorry," he said to her, "I didn't mean for this to happen."
Shildy looked at him softly, resting her hand on his cheek. "I know," she said with a smile.
