On the screen appeared the image of a greenish being – unmistakably humanoid, with smooth, glossy skin of a delicate jade hue, lightly mottled with dark brown spots. Its broad forehead was slightly raised, giving the head a subtly elongated, oval shape. Expressive, slanted eyes with dark violet lids and large, gleaming pupils watched the crew intently. On either side of its neck were slits resembling gills, and given the Rionians’ evident affinity for aquatic environments, it was easy to infer that they were amphibious – as indeed they were. In its ears, which lay close against the head, several small rings glinted faintly.
«Please state the purpose of your visit», the Rionian said dryly and formally in Galacton, «as well as the number of crew members and the name of your vessel.»
«Scientific research cruiser Armaon of the Vriinian Space Fleet», Maarv replied not quite by the book. «There are four of us, and we request permission to land. Our purpose is to help our friends from the Blue Planet save their world from the Genomode and become full members of the Galactic Union. For that, we need the fragment of the Ticket located on your planet, since your people are represented in the High Council.»
The Rionian tilted his head slightly, the smooth greenish skin along his neck shifting as the gill slits flexed once, like a slow breath. His expression softened, and a faint ripple of amusement passed over his large eyes.
«Well now, how interesting!» he said, his voice deep but fluid, carrying a soft resonance, as if it echoed through water. «You’ve come quite a long way.» He blinked slowly, as though turning something over in his mind, then added almost apologetically, «Forgive my lack of courtesy – these last few days, you are not the first visitors we’ve received. Now things begin to make sense.»
He straightened a little, one hand touching the side of a translucent console. «Please transmit your coordinates for portal synchronization, and allow me to come aboard. Since this concerns the Genomode, it will be far simpler and faster that way – unless, of course, you wish to spend a few days on our hospitable world… which, I suspect, you don’t have the time for.»
A small, knowing smile crossed his face. «Our fragment of the Ticket will be at your full disposal. Allow me only a few moments to make the necessary preparations.»
A few hours later, the Rionian – now in full combat gear – was already aboard the Armaon, strolling with evident pleasure through the ship’s cozy mess hall. He was solidly built, about the same size as Maarv, though far more flexible in his movements. His armor was light, designed not to hinder motion, and there was a quiet strength and resolve in his gait.
«My name is Tarion», he introduced himself to the friends, who in turn told him their names.
«You see», he began once they had all made themselves comfortable in the mess hall, «the particular conditions of our world keep the number of visitors to the bare minimum we actually need. Unlike the open planetary spaceports and all kinds of interstellar trade stations, we don’t have suspicious types wandering around here», he said with a smile, then continued.
«So, when a few days ago a mercenary ship from Tiavr arrived, demanding that we hand over a Vriinian vessel with humans on board – the same guests we had apparently offered our hospitality to not long before – we found it rather amusing. A bit later, however, they came back with several heavy bomber ships and started threatening us with open aggression.»
«Some of our leaders, for all their humanism, are not known for their patience or for any particular affection toward those vicious Tiavrans, who are admitted even to the shadiest worlds only with caution. So they were eliminated very quickly.»
He smiled again, a touch of guilt in his expression, and gave a small shrug. «After all, they were warned!»
«I like your way of dealing with things», Draam said sincerely. «Those mercenaries, and probably a few others, have been on our tail ever since some of our brilliant leaders decided to unleash the Genomode on the Blue Planet. Since then, we’ve had to save each other’s skins more than once, and I still hope we can fix this mess somehow.»
«Yeah… the Genomode is no blessing», Tarion said, his tone turning thoughtful. «A long time ago, our scientists created the Genovirus – it was designed to suppress pathogenic bacteria and all kinds of mutations on planets of concern.»
«Oh, really?!» he exclaimed, staring at the stunned faces of his friends. «You mean you didn’t know? For countless millennia that mechanism worked flawlessly – it did exactly what it was meant to, until some mad genius accidentally modified it in such a way that it wiped out the populations of several inhabited worlds in his system. And of course, there were those who managed to get hold of samples of that dreadful virus – some to make a profit, others to use it later as a weapon of terror. Since then, we’ve been burdened with the Genomode – its unauthorized use is strictly forbidden, and even when permitted, it’s applied only in the first and only phase.»
«Well, since you were the ones who created it», Kane said, «you probably know how to neutralize it, right?»
«Unfortunately, it’s not that simple», Tarion said with a faint, rueful smile. «Only one race has ever managed to do it – the Lirians. The blasted antidote formula is so intricate that only they can reproduce it properly. Even then, it remains active for only a short time before it loses its properties. Still, we feel a measure of responsibility. After all, your people’s troubles are partly our fault. That’s why, with your permission, I’ll accompany you and speak on your behalf before the Galactic Council – as a representative of my world.»
Maarv glanced at his companions. Judging by their faces, everyone seemed content with this turn of events. Wise Tarion, who carried himself with warmth and quiet resolve, had already made a good impression.
«And one more thing», the Rionian added with open irony. «Given recent events – and my considerable importance – we’ll be escorted to Ilion by two of our heavy unmanned cruisers. One can’t be too careful…»
«Quite a serious people you’ve got there», John remarked, watching with the others through the viewport as the strange escort ships drew closer. “If everyone leaving your planet travels with that kind of protection, I’d hate to see your customs department.»
«That’s true», Tarion replied with a smile. «There aren’t many of us left, and our ways, as you rightly noted, are not exactly gentle. Still, there’s something important we must finish.» He leaned forward slightly. «You mentioned a fragment of the Ticket you recovered on Omera?»
«It’s in the lab», Maarv answered curtly, the hurt still audible in his voice as he recalled his many failed attempts. «I’ve tried to determine its structure and composition, but nothing works. It’s harder than anything I’ve ever seen – it resists every kind of analysis and refuses to react with any known substance!»
Tarion chuckled and gave Maarv a friendly pat on the shoulder. «I know the feeling», he said.
Then, drawing a slow, full breath, he went on, «That piece was created long ago – forged from a kind of biometal, each particle of which possesses its own energy field. Only the most ancient races mastered such technologies. As for us, we’ve only managed how to activate these artifacts, not how to create them.»
He took out a small device, no larger than his palm, and synchronized it with the lab systems connected to the Ticket analyzer. Then he launched a program that began generating endless virtual schematics, constantly shifting and unfolding into new configurations, filling the compartment with a weave of colorful lines and intricate luminous patterns.
«This device inputs a virtual genetic cipher that activates artifacts like this one», Tarion explained, pointing at the Ticket which was already changing before their eyes. It had transformed into something resembling an elongated plate, slightly larger than a playing card, obsidian-black and a little wider, its surface covered in strange perforated inscriptions. Through the fine lattice of symbols radiated a deep blue glow from a mysterious mineral that filled its hollow core.
Chapter 16
That evening, as they sat together in the ship’s spacious mess hall, the friends drifted into lively conversations on all sorts of topics. From his endlessly cluttered backpack, John produced a couple of bottles of old Earth whiskey – and, to everyone’s surprise, it turned out to be a hit.
«How extraordinary this all is», John said with heartfelt wonder, gazing into his glass. «We – beings from different worlds – sitting together at the same table, peacefully sipping this wonderful amber drink!»
«Can’t argue with that», Draam said with a thoughtful nod. «Not bad at all. We should’ve secretly landed on your planet long ago.»
«Ha! You’ll land there yet», Kane replied with a grin. «When we get back, I’ll take you around some of our best places.»
At that moment, he suddenly felt a pang of homesickness – for his home, for Earth food, and for the life he’d once known.
John looked at Kane with understanding, as if he’d just read the thought behind his wistful expression.
«Yeah, son», he said softly. «Nostalgia’s a strange thing. Makes you think.» He paused, then mused aloud, «I do wonder though – did anyone even notice we’re gone? I can just picture my neighbors’ faces when they see what’s left of my house, and the headlines in the local papers: ‘This Is What Comes of the Mad Experiments of Dr. Bozen.’»
Kane grinned broadly. «Or better yet – ‘An Explosive Temper and Its Impact on Rural Real Estate.’»
«You know», Tarion suddenly said, his eyes lighting up, «many thousands of years ago our people actually visited the Blue Planet. Every Rionian, from early childhood, studies the marine life of our waters, and I’ve always remembered that story, because it begins with a disaster. Our aquatic transport ships were searching for planets whose water resources would be similar to those of our own planet, for the purpose of populating our oceans. Their holds were already nearly full of various samples and organisms when, in a distant solar system, our scanners suddenly detected your wonderful world.»
Everyone fell silent, listening to the Rionian as he continued his story. Tarion leaned forward slightly, his webbed fingers resting on the edge of the table, his gaze distant as if he were seeing the past play out before his eyes.
«Our orbital probe was carrying out a preliminary atmospheric analysis and collecting samples of air and water», he said slowly, «when the cataclysm occurred – a vast continent suddenly sank deep beneath the sea.»
Still staring into the distance, Tarion made a theatrical downward gesture, as if inviting everyone to picture the dreadful catastrophe in all its scale, then spread his arms wide to show the raging might of the ocean that had swallowed the land.
«Oh, for heaven’s sake!» Kane exclaimed impatiently, rolling his eyes no less theatrically. «Well? What happened next?»
«Yes, yes», Tarion replied quickly, throwing up his hands. «I’m getting to that!»
«Judging by the nature of its architecture and the ecological emissions», he went on, «the civilization that once existed on that continent was far more advanced than any other people on the planet. They were familiar with electricity… and the internal combustion engine.»
Tarion sank back into his distant memories, feeling the same thrill he had known when he first heard the story himself. For a moment, the room was silent. Then Kane, unable to contain his impatience, gave a loud, deliberate cough. He put so much drama into it that he ended up coughing for real. Everyone burst out laughing, and Tarion went on with his story.
«And so, we decided to build our base in one of the cities of that sunken land, and for several decades we studied the underwater world of Earth’s oceans and seas – a world that truly amazed us with its richness and beauty. And of course,» he added with a faint grin, «we borrowed a few things from you.»
He began counting on his fingers, then thought better of it and continued.
«From time to time, we also encountered humans who fearlessly roamed the vast seas in their fragile wooden ships, and we guided them out of storms and tempests. Naturally, they took us for gods or some kind of higher beings who protected sailors, and later they painted us on their sails and flags», Tarion added, bursting into laughter.
«Well, I’ll be damned», John exclaimed in astonishment. «Guess I’ll have to start writing the real history of Earth – way before our so-called era even began! Nobody back home has a clue about any of this.»
«If you’re starting a history book, I can throw in a few more pages», Tarion replied with a grin, taking another sip from his glass. «Some marine species, in fact, were brought to your world by us. Take dolphins, for example. These intelligent beings, discovered on the distant fringe worlds, volunteered to stay on your planet.»
Noticing the astonished looks on the humans’ faces, he explained, «We understand them, and our scientists were even able to communicate with them. Back then, they helped us greatly in our research. They are truly unique creatures; before them, we had never encountered intelligent life that lived in the water.»
At that, everyone exchanged knowing glances at the sight of his gills.
«We may be amphibious by nature», Tarion explained, «but we live entirely on land. We can spend long periods in the water, yes – but we cannot live there, even though it surrounds us. Still, seafood is the foundation of our diet. I dare say, our cuisine could make any true connoisseur of such dishes green with envy.»
«I’m a true connoisseur of all kinds of dishes», Draam said brightly. «And I sincerely hope I’ll get to test that claim myself someday. I’ve traveled through many worlds, and I’ve already had the… mm… pleasure of eating food of aquatic origin.»
«Oh, absolutely!» Maarv said with mock enthusiasm. «Our magnificent Draam can digest just about anything.» Like most Vriinians, he treated his rather large friend’s culinary enthusiasm with a fair measure of sarcasm.
«I beg your pardon!» Tarion exclaimed in mock outrage. «You’ve completely misunderstood me, my friends!»
Kane and John were already doubled over, laughing so hard they nearly slid to the floor.
«I’m talking about real culinary delights», Tarion went on, gesturing with grand offense. «Not merely ‘food of aquatic origin,’ as you so elegantly put it! And it doesn’t need to be digested like ‘just anything’ – it melts in your mouth and leaves a taste you’ll remember for the rest of your life!»
«I’m terribly sorry to interrupt your most fascinating conversation», came Arma’s voice, calm but edged with urgency. «But I’m detecting a large cluster of Tiavran ships – directly on our course.»
«How many?» Maarv asked, slightly out of breath as they all rushed onto the bridge. «Can we make it to the wormhole?»
Arma projected a volumetric display onto the main screen. Almost twenty ships appeared – sleek, elongated vessels shaped like dark metallic cones.
«Oh no, not them again… the blue ones», Kane muttered with a look of distaste.
«The blue ones?» Tarion echoed, raising a brow. «You mean you’ve already crossed paths with those repulsive Tiavrans?»
«Yeah, once», Kane replied, and a shudder ran through him at the memory. «But that brief encounter gave me the chance to study them in rather graphic detail.»
«They’re not responding to my hails», Arma reported, her tone calm but firm. «No reply on any channel. Judging by their trajectory, I’d say they’re moving on an attack vector.»
Maarv glanced at Draam, then at the others. «They’ve got us outnumbered», he said grimly. «I say we get the hell out while we still can.»
He jabbed a finger at a glowing point on the star map, zooming in. «Here – this system has two small planets and an asteroid ring. Perfect place to hit them with a surprise strike and vanish before they even know what happened.»
Chapter 17
The Armaon, altering its course, accelerated toward the designated system at full cruise speed. The pursuers, as if having guessed their intention, likewise adjusted their trajectories to intercept before the ship could lose itself among the asteroids.
As a precaution, everyone donned protective suits equipped with emergency oxygen reserves. The Tiavran ships had already drawn close enough that the Armaon and its two Rionian escorts were well within weapons range, yet no one fired.
Arma activated the defense shields and pushed the main engines to maximum power. The two escort cruisers followed suit. Realizing that their prey might slip away, the Tiavrans opened fire with all batteries. Deadly vortices of explosions blossomed in dark crimson bursts against the escorts’ shields, nearly tearing through their defenses.
In response came a blinding cascade of fire from the heavy, multi-tiered turrets of the unmanned Rionian cruisers. They swung around to meet the attackers head-on and wiped out more than half of the Tiavran fleet. They had no time for a second salvo. The conical Tiavran ships, resembling enormous atomic drills, riddled both escorts with pinpoint fire. Their reactors and power cores went critical, flooding the void with two brilliant, soundless flashes before the shattered hulls slowly drifted apart into lifeless debris.
«We’ll have to head into the asteroid belt», Maarv said tensely. «It’s the only way to shake them off.»
Everyone had been prepared for the inevitable loss of the escort, yet it was a bitter moment all the same.
«According to my calculations», Arma said evenly, «our maneuverability exceeds that of the enemy vessels, and our firepower is significantly greater. The key is not to let them get too close.»
«There are too many of them», Maarv replied, steering the Armaon toward the asteroids with a steady hand. «Arma, take over control and guide us toward the nearest planet. The instruments show traces of an atmosphere – if we can reach it, the Tiavrans won’t be able to follow. Their ships aren’t built for atmospheric flight.»
«Ha! Would you look at that?» Draam exclaimed. «Less than half of them dared to follow us into the belt!»
Barely had he said it when several enemy ships collided with a massive black fragment drifting on an erratic course. The rest chose to fall back and rejoin the main group – and who could blame them?
Only the flawless precision of Arma’s calculations, as she took full control of the navigation and tracked every large fragment’s trajectory along their path, allowed them to move safely through this stony inferno.
Arma was literally carving their way forward through the deadly jungle of asteroids, blasting apart the dangerously close boulders and pushing others aside with her defensive field.
Even so, several fragments struck the ship, tearing open part of the nose and the port side, making the crew endure a few rather unpleasant moments.
But the inner hull held firm, and the Armaon, descending into the dense layers of atmosphere, began a slow and cautious approach toward the planet below.
«Once, this lifeless planet was inhabited», Arma said. «Judging by the terrain, it must have been long ago – perhaps a thousand years. A surface analysis of the atmosphere shows no traces of radiation, so it wasn’t a nuclear war that destroyed it. More likely, it was chemical in nature. If anyone’s curious, we can take soil samples.»
Everyone turned to the screen, where Arma was transmitting images from the hyper-optical lenses. At first it was hard to make out anything distinct, but as they looked closer, the shapes began to reveal themselves – the remnants of what had once been a vast city.
Mostly, only the rooftops were visible, the upper floors of buildings protruding just a few meters above the surface, while enormous fractures and blurred craters in several areas spoke of the slow, relentless work of time. Over the centuries the city had been buried beneath layers of earth, sand, and debris.
«It’ll take at least two days to restore the energy reserves and repair the hull breaches», Arma reported. Then, slipping into John’s manner of speech, she added, «After that, I’ll be ready to charge through endless hordes of enemies again, fighting valiantly and sparing not my own circuits.»
Draam took the controls and guided the Armaon lower, leveling out roughly a hundred meters above the surface.
He frowned at the strange, rather unpleasant vegetation below – patches of dark yellow and rusty brown interspersed with thick, vine-like growths in shades of deep green and sand.
Arma was telling Kane that, although the atmosphere was composed mostly of oxygen, it contained elevated levels of several substances that sounded distinctly unsettling to him and was, at best, only marginally fit for breathing.
«The closer to the ground, the better the air», Arma informed them. «The sparse vegetation generates a faint cushion of oxygen. It’s advisable to use the suits.»
«Quite creepy here», Kane muttered to Draam beside him, who seemed to share the feeling, as did the rest of the crew, staring in grim silence at the bleak, unsettling landscape.
Kane pointed ahead toward a small rise. «How about that spot?»
Draam carefully surveyed the terrain, studying the detailed perimeter analysis that Arma had thoughtfully brought up on several screens.
At last, Draam guided the Armaon toward a sturdy-looking monolithic structure, surprisingly well preserved. Several tall floors rose above the ground, each no less than five meters high.
«I’m not too keen on landing all the way up top», Draam announced. «Let’s take the floor just below it. But first, it could use a bit of cleaning.»
