Dahlia's Deception (The Annihilation Series) (24 page)

“It appears they don’t. We’ll see you later.” Tag and Danielle teleported over to the giant blue psychic ship and saw Ken struggling with a huge box. Danielle said, “Thomas, can’t you moderate the gravity field under that box?”

“I can.”

“Then do it so Ken won’t have to hurt something trying to move it.”

Ken suddenly felt the box’s weight disappear and he lifted it off the floor with one hand. He looked up at the speaker, “Why didn’t you tell me you could do this?”

“You told me last week when you needed my help, you’d ask for it.”

Tag looked at Ken, “Did you really say that?”

“He wouldn’t be quiet long enough for me to collect my thoughts.”

“You were about to make a huge mistake and wouldn’t listen to me.”

Ken shook his head, “Thomas, please help me wherever you can.” Ken’s remark was greeted by silence. Ken looked at Tag, shook his head, and said, “I’m sorry, Thomas; you were right.”

“Rose just sent me a recording of the cable pairings Jixie did on her panel. I’ve color coded the cables and the hookups. Just match the colors and you’ll have the pairings completed.”

“Thanks, Thomas.” Ken looked at the Gardners, “What brings you here?”

“We’ve come to help.”

“Well, grab a spot welder and you can join us under the panel. We’re running behind.”

Danielle smiled and went to the bridge, picked up a welder, and slid in under the panel. She looked at Pixie and heard her whisper, “He’s been a real bear to be around.”

“It must be from the stress.”

“I guess; I’m glad you’re here to help. Do you think this will work?”

“We won’t know until we have all three ships connected. I do know we need to hurry; things are starting to get out of hand.”

Pixie nodded and went back to work.

• • •

The table was quiet as they watched the recordings of the universe as the Blue Ships were completing their harvesting efforts. At the conclusion, Tess looked at Ping, “I’ve always thought Creation was a dangerous place; this is proof of it.” She turned to Ping, “It looks like the doomsday device is the only answer to this.”

Ping looked at Dahlia and then to Tess, “I’m afraid you’re right.”

“Is there any way to save our planet if it’s launched?”

“At this moment, I don’t see any.”

Dean said, “Why do you say it that way?”

“I just don’t believe there is no way out. There has to be something I’m missing. I do agree that the device must be launched.”

Tess stared at Ping for a long moment, “I’m of the belief that those Blue Ships won’t be coming back.”

Ping shrugged, “You’re probably right.”

Sprigly was surprised by Ping’s response, “Why do you think that?”

Ping turned to Sprigly, “These creatures just lost a million ships attacking our planet. They are, if nothing else, smart enough to know that the cost wouldn’t justify what they would get for the investment. Why waste another million ships to take one planet? They’ll just ignore us and harvest every other planet that offers no resistance. They’ll eventually leave and the Planters will inhabit an empty universe.”

Tess stared at Ping and frowned, “You act like that is a bad thing.”

“I would hope that you are as smart as the Blue Aliens.”

“What does that mean?”

“Let’s for a minute say that we could stop the Garners from launching their device. What would happen as a result of that decision?” Tess just stared at Ping.

Dahlia said, “The most likely thing would be the survivors of the Five will flee and attack the Realm. The Blue Ships will follow on their heels and invade the Realm as well.”

Tess shook her head, “But if they launch it, everything here will be destroyed.”

Ping remained silent but Dean said, “Tess, whether the Gardner’s device or the Blue Ships do it; everything here is dead either way. If they don’t launch it, the Blue Ships will kill everything. If they do, you get the same result. The only difference is that our planet might survive the Blue Ships. The question boils down to one thing; are we willing to let the Realm and every living thing in its universe die so we can live in a lifeless creation?”

“Why should we sacrifice our lives to save the Realm?”

Ping nodded, “That is the only issue. It always has been. Now you have to choose; we can no longer put off making a choice.”

Tess stared at Ping and Dahlia said, “It should be left up to the people.”

Tess stared at Dahlia, “Are you willing to live with their choice?”

“That’s the wrong question, Tess.”

“Oh?”

“Are they willing to live with that choice?”

“We’ll hold the referendum in three days. I’ll take the position of life.”

Dahlia said, “I’ll play the recordings Ping made and let them speak for themselves.”

Tess looked at Ping, “Before we take this vote, what’s to prevent us from going out and defending the planets in this cluster and having more civilizations survive?”

“Because if you did that, the Harvesters will send every warship they have to eliminate your interference. Right now it’s just one planet they’re writing off. They won’t take your interference lightly and will do what they have to do to end it.”

Tess looked at Dahlia and she nodded. Tess looked at Dean, “Notify all the locations of the vote and the issue we’ll be deciding.”

The meeting ended and Ping was left sitting with Dahlia. Dahlia looked at Ping’s expression and said, “Ping, would you be willing to allowing our daughter to die to save the Realm?” Ping stared at her saying nothing. “These people are Tess’ children. She can’t allow them to die if there is anything she can do to prevent it.”

Ping slowly shook his head, “And how many daughters like ours will lose their life so ours can live? Do you think our daughter will be able to live with that burden?” Ping paused, “Can you live with it?” He stood up and walked out of the control room. Dahlia watched him leave and couldn’t come up with an answer.

• • •

Dahlia found Ping at the stream and said, “I can’t answer your question. I’ve struggled with it and can’t decide.”

Ping shrugged, “That tells me you have a good heart. That counts for a lot.”

“I need to know what you’re thinking.”

Ping looked out at the stream and shook his head, “Do you really believe there is a plan?”

“Why do you ask?”

Ping turned and looked at her, “If you did, you could answer my question.”

“I’m not sure what you mean?”

“Is the Gardner’s device part of the plan? Dahlia said nothing. “Would the plan have the Blue Ships included in it?” Dahlia’s expression show how troubled she was. “Would the plan produce the right result?”

“It could kill all of us.”

“That’s not an answer.”

Dahlia sat down and shook her head, “Ping, I’ve seen a pattern in everything that’s happened; but I just have tremendous difficulty in letting go and simply believing a plan exists.”

Ping sat down beside her and took her hands, “Dahlia, if there was no plan, explain how I found you. If you can do that, you have your answer.”

Dahlia stared at him and finally said, “This vote will determine our survival, won’t it?” Ping nodded. Dahlia lowered her head, “The only way to live is to vote to die.” Ping sighed and nodded again. “I’m not going to show the recordings.”

Ping smiled, “I think that’s wise.”

• • •

Tess recorded a message to the citizens and Dahlia spoke immediately after she finished. Tess had spoken for an hour and Dahlia looked at the camera and said, “It’s really simple to understand. You can choose to live and trillions will die. Quite likely, a trillion intelligent beings will die for every one of us. Thank you.”

Dahlia stepped away from the camera and Tess looked at her in bewilderment. Dahlia smiled, “A mother is chosen to lead us because only a mother possesses enough love to do the right thing for all. Tess, do you consider us your only children?” Dahlia left to be with Ping while the vote was taking place. Tess watched Dahlia walk away and, after a moment, lowered her head.

• • •

Ping pulled back on the rod and it bent almost double, “Now this is a monster.”

Dahlia looked over her shoulder as she put oil in the frying pan, “It must be blue in color.”

Ping saw the huge fish jump and said, “How did you know?”

“Just lucky, I guess.”

Dean and Victoria sat on the bank of the stream with their feet in the water watching Ping play the fish. Dean shook his head, “I think you’re in over your head with this one.”

“Don’t say that loud enough for the fish to hear!” Ping released some line and then began pulling again. It took fifteen minutes but Ping went and lifted the big fish out of the stream. He smiled and removed the hook. He held the fish up for all to see and then gently put it back in the water.

Dean yelled, “Hey, what are you doing?”

“He has earned a reprieve; he fought hard enough to deserve it.” He paused and turned around quickly and looked at Dahlia, who wore a surprised expression. They both smiled and Ping baited the hook and cast it into the stream.

“What were the two of you smiling about?”

Dahlia looked at Victoria, “Some truths don’t come easily.”

Dean stared at them and shook his head, “That one could have fed all of us.”

Victoria said, “It was the right thing to do. That old man deserves to have many children for us to enjoy.” Dean shook his head and saw Ping’s rod bend again.

• • •

They were sitting around a fire when they saw Tess walking from the large tree with the tube entrance in it. Ping looked at Dahlia and knew the vote was in. Dean looked at Tess, “Why are you walking here? You could have teleported here.”

“I needed some time to think about the vote.” Dean stared at her and she nodded, “Yes, the results are in.”

“And?”

“It really wasn’t close.”

Dahlia said, “WELL?”

“I’m often amazed by my people. The vote was ninety five percent to allow the Gardners to launch their device. It seems most of our people feel like whatever it is, they can take it on and survive.”

Ping smiled and looked at Tess, “Did you really expect them to turn their back on the Realm?”

“I would have until Dahlia pointed out that my people here are not my only children. I made an announcement before the vote started that I would be voting to launch.” Ping furrowed his brow and Tess continued, “Our ancestors came from your planet. We are their children and the ones that still live on Earth are just as much a part of us as the ones that live here. Knowing that left me no choice but to do all I could to make sure they survived.” Tess looked at Dahlia, “Why did you not show the recordings?”

“It’s easier to say you’ll die if you don’t know what the death will look like. If they saw the recordings; fear may have overcome their wisdom.”

Tess nodded, “Well, I guess that means we have nothing to lose now.”

Ping chuckled, “That makes us very, very dangerous.”

Dahlia tilted her head, “The vote was meaningless anyway.”

Ping shook his head, “No, it wasn’t.”

“For the question the vote was designed to answer, it was useless.” Ping nodded.

Tess looked at Dahlia, “What do you mean?”

“Do you think there was any way in Creation for us to stop the Gardners from launching their project? We can’t even go to their universe much less use any weapon we have to stop them.”

Tess looked at Ping, “You could have ordered them not to do it.”

“Would you have listened if you were in their place?”

Tess became angry, “Then why did we go through that farce?”

Ping looked at Dahlia and she said, “So the ones that have created a plan could see we’re worth saving.”

Tess looked at Ping and he nodded. “I thought everything was going to die if they launched it?”

“What we expect has a funny way of not happening when we least expect it. This vote at least proved to all of us that we are good and honorable. That’s reason enough to have the vote.”

“So what do we do now?”

Dahlia looked at Ping and he shook his head. Dahlia said, “They can accept it from you.”

“It comes across better if you tell them.”

Dean looked at Dahlia, “Tell us what?”

“We’re going to war against the Blue Ships.”

“I thought they would leave us alone if we stayed out of it.”

“They probably would; but the Gardners aren’t ready and need more time. We have to buy that time for them.”

Dean looked at Dahlia and then looked at Tess. She shrugged, “What the hey, we’re all dead any way. What have we got to lose?”

“Does that mean I get my own ship?” Tess shook her head. “Why not? Ping and Dahlia go out in their ship.”

Ping slowly shook his head, “Dean, I understand the Blue Ships are massing to invade the Rageon Domain. There are ten huge fleets that are gathering and their numbers are incredible. How would you go about attacking those fleets and still protect us here?”

“You won’t like my answer.”

“Tell me anyway.”

“The Mites will remain here. The fifty thousand heavy battleships will load up with the pulse missiles and their brackets.”

“Go on.”

Tess said, “I’m sorry, I’ve heard you and Sprigly talking about missile brackets; what are they?”

Dean smiled, “The normal method of launching missiles is to fire them out of tubes from ships with a target programed into their software. A bracket is a huge rack that holds more than ten thousand missiles in it. The bracket is little more than a teleport drive that will teleport its entire load to a designated coordinate. The Pulse Missiles will all arrive at the same moment and start locking on any target that has a specified frequency programmed into their warheads.”

Tess hesitated for a moment, “Won’t huge numbers of them hit the same ships?”

“No, the missiles have been programmed to stay away from each other. That distance can be selected by the Weapon’s Officer controlling them. Let’s say a Blue Warship is eight hundred yards long. The officer will input nine hundred yards into their software and they will spread out and maintain that distance from each other. There will be some double hits but most of them will find a single target.”