Nemesis 1: Revenge Is Best Served Hot (4 page)

The High Priest’s mouth turned up, “I’ve kept my eyes on them over the years. Their hearts are very much like the one who brought them.”

“But they are the most dangerous beings in the universe, Holiness.”

“And they just said that we are the only family they know. Do you think that if we need them to come to our defense that they might do it?”

The Head Server shook his head, “Your wisdom never ceases to amaze me.”

The High Priest nodded and stared at the door the two had passed through, “They still have a long way to go before they find what they’re searching for.” He took a deep breath and said, “I want all our probes activated and I want to be informed if anything of interest happens.”

The Head Servant nodded and left the Prayer Room.

• • •

The Huge Yellow being sat and stared at his control panel’s monitor. Where could they have gone? He heard his Lead Sensor Operator say, “Sire?”

“What?”

“I’ve just received word that every Choten-Zan probe and sensor in every galaxy have gone active.”

“WHAT?”

“Yes, Sire.”

The Yellow Being’s eyes narrowed and he shook his head, “They know what’s going on. They must have some kind of link to those two humans. I want one of our advanced probes sent to monitor their temple.”

“Sire?”

“If I have to tell you again, you won’t be the one carrying out my order.”

He watched the Operator start pressing his panel and wondered what link the Choten-Zan had with the humans. After an hour his Communications Operator said, “Sire, The Principal in asking for you.”

The Huge being sat up in his chair, “Put him on my panel…NOW!”

The small monitor came on and he saw the leader of his species, “I’ve been told that you sent a probe to the Choten-Zan Temple.”

“Yes, Sire. It appears there might be a link between them and the ones we’re chasing.”

“What makes you believe that?”

“They’re turning on their scanners to follow our efforts to find the humans. That means they know who they are.”

“Did it ever dawn on you that you have had running blaster battles on more than ten planets? Do you not think they would want to know what you’re up to?”

The Leader stared at the Principal and shook his head, “No, in the scope of the universe our battles have represented less than nothing.”

“Why did you not clear sending the probes with me before you issued those orders?”

“I didn’t think there would be a problem. Those priests don’t possess any technology that would threaten us.”

“I have received a message from their High Priest that sending our probe to their Temple in violation of their privacy is an act of war. The probe you sent has been destroyed.”

“Sire?”

“No, we don’t know how they did it. However, I’ve had six hundred civilizations contact me asking why we’ve violated the Choten-Zan’s privacy.” The Yellow Military Leader stared at the Principal as he said, “You are reduced two levels. I will not reduce you a third.”

The display went dark and he knew that he would not be reduced again because he would be dead before that happened. Everyone on the huge bridge heard the exchange and quickly looked at the self-destruct circuit on the back wall. It was flashing yellow. Even the huge Leader remained silent for an hour UNTIL it stopped flashing. That was a message everyone on the giant ship understood. He knew there had to be a link between the Choten-Zan and the humans…but that was one lead he would not follow. He blew out a breath and yelled, “FIND ME THOSE TWO HUMANS!”

• • •

Whippet was sitting on a chair when Grant and Cinny entered the landing bay on their scooter, “Well, how did it go?”

Cinny smiled, “We were met with some opposition but we managed to get the key.”

“I hope your opposition wasn’t serious; the Choten-Zan are not someone you want against you.”

Grant tilted his head, “Why do you say that?”

“I knew a trader that took pay for a load of tools from them and then sold them to a third party after pocketing their money. One of their priests found him on a backwater planet and left his remains there to be buried. I have no idea how they found him, but they did.”

“One of the higher ranking priests had an issue with giving us the key but the High Priest intervened and forced the issue. He also told us that we may visit any time we choose.”

Whippet made a high pitched whistle, “You actually met the High Priest? You two really are something out of the ordinary. How did you get him to see you?”

Cinny looked at Grant and shrugged, “Grant threatened to burn the painting of their founder if we weren’t given what belonged to us.”

Whippet’s snout fell open. He stared at Grant and said, “Tell me she’s joking.”

“No, that’s about the size of it. Fortunately, I didn’t have to carry through on my threat.” Whippet shook his head and Grant started walking out of the landing bay, “Let’s go see what we have.”

• • •

They arrived on the bridge and took a seat as Grant inserted the key into the slot on the control panel. A hologram of a female appeared on the bridge and began speaking, “Hello and welcome to the accumulated information on our beautiful planet, Earth. If you will place the transfer helmets on, I will start the presentation.”

Cinny looked up, “Do we have transfer helmets?”

“Your military helmets will make the connection.”

“Do you have a helmet for our guest?”

“I am not authorized to transfer information to anyone that is not of your species.”

Grant looked at Cinny as Whippet looked up, “Who is authorized to make the transfer to another species?”

“Both pilots must make the authorization in order for the transfer to be made.”

Grant looked at Cinny and neither of them said anything. Whippet watched them and said, “Hey, this will answer the question about just who you are.”

Cinny looked at him, “What do you mean?”

“Well, if you two are not the pilots, then the computer will not allow the transfer.”

Cinny looked back at Grant and shook her head. She looked up and said, “I authorize the transfer.”

Grant waited a moment and then looked up, “I authorize the transfer.”

“Helmet is provided.”

Whippet lifted the helmet off the arm of his chair and said, “Holy Drak Snake venom. Tom was right.” He looked at the two humans, “Hey, do you really want me seeing this? I just thought this was a good way to find out who you are.”

Grant was still shocked by the discovery. He leaned back in his chair, “Whippet, we can’t release you now. You’re probably right about there being a bounty on you and you can confirm who we are.”

Whippet shrugged his small shoulders, “They probably already know it. I have no idea how they found out but it’s clear they know the danger you represent to them.”

Cinny smiled, “You’ll just have to join us.” Grant and Whippet looked at Cinny with shocked expressions. “Come on you two. Grant, he’s the one that’s led us to find out who we are. He’s asked the questions that needed asking and I suspect it’s because he’s lived his life working with computers. We don’t know very much about them and we could use his help if he chooses to help us.”

Whippet said, “Help you what?”

“Why, find the Orion, of course. I really don’t think those yellow armored beings are going to treat you well if they manage to find you. However, we will take you to the planet of your choice right now and drop you off if that’s what you want. If you choose to stay, then you are in it for the long haul.”

Grant blew out a breath, “She’s right. We can use your help.”

Whippet started slowly shaking his head, “You two don’t know anything about me. You don’t know if I can be trusted or if I’ll turn on you if there’s a profit in doing it. I know me and you should know that I look out for number One…Me.”

Cinny stared at Whippet and lowered her eyebrows, “You might not do this for us, but you will do it for Tom.” Whippet stared at Cinny for a long moment and then lowered his head. “I don’t know what Tom did for you but I see that you owe him something. It’s in your eyes whenever you mention his name.”

Whippet kept his head lowered, “A reactor vessel ruptured and I was trapped in the containment room when it went. Tom blasted the officer forbidding anyone to open the door and pulled me out before radiation filled the room. He pushed me through just as it arrived at the door and he was hit by the wave just as he closed the door. It was that radiation that led to his death. His body couldn’t take any more.” Whippet looked up, “I know he knew it when he pulled me out but he made sure I was safe first.”

Grant’s eyes narrowed, “The Captain didn’t kill him for disobeying orders?”

“No, it took both of us to get the room decontaminated and the Captain saw that Tom had acted properly. Tom did most of the work; he knew he was dying.” Whippet sighed, “He loved Earth.” He looked at Cinny and slowly shook his head, “You’re right. I can say no to you…but I can’t turn my back on what Tom would want me to do. It’s just that I know me and how selfish I can be. I just don’t trust myself.”

Cinny walked over and knelt down in front of the small Werstag, “Would Tom trust you to do this?” Whippet looked into her eyes and nodded. “Would you ever betray him?” Whippet lowered his head and shook it. “Then you know that if you betray us, you will be doing it to Tom.”

“Just tell me what’s in it for me so that I can deal with the demons of greed that will assault me. MY heart is in the right place but greed can be overwhelming.”

Grant smiled, “That’s easy.” Whippet and Cinny jerked their heads toward him, “We’ll give you this ship once we find the Orion.”

Whippet stared at Grant for a long moment and then smiled, “Now that’s a prize worth having. I’d be free to go wherever I choose. Does that include the armor you’re wearing?” Grant nodded. Whippet stood up, “Count me in.”

Cinny smiled, “Put the helmet on and let’s see what we have.” Whippet put the helmet on and leaned back in his chair. The Hologram’s voice began and the three of them closed their eyes.

T
he download ended and they opened their eyes. Whippet looked at them, “Your planet was beautiful. The diversity of life was incredible. I’m amazed at how brutal and how good your species could be.”

The download was a history of Earth from its early formation to its destruction. The download was done at high speed and Cinny and Grant were stunned by what they had seen. Cinny’s tears were on her cheeks and Grant had an expression that bordered on rage. Whippet looked at them and sighed, “Now is not the time to go seek vengeance. You’re not prepared to take on the civilization that destroyed your home world.”

Grant looked at him and his eyes narrowed, “I know. However, there’s no more Mr. Nice Guy when they confront us in the future.” He looked at Cinny, “Do you agree?” Cinny wiped her tears and nodded.

Whippet stared at the two humans and then said, “You realize that something’s missing from this data?”

The two turned to him and Cinny said, “What do you mean?”

“Tell me what information was on this download that was so critical to stop you from acquiring it?”

Grant stared at Whippet and then looked up, “What other information is available in your data banks?”

“That is all that I have.”

Cinny started shaking her head, “There’s got to be more.”

Grant looked at her, “Tell me why you say that?”

“Whoever took us to the monastery would want us to know who we are.” She paused, “Who we really are. None of this answers that question.”

Grant looked up, “Other than the download that we just watched, do you have any other information released by the key?”

“That is the only information in my data banks released by the key.”

Grant looked at Whippet and Whippet said, “Is there any information located in the key?”

They waited but the question was greeted by silence. Grant said, “Is there any information located in the key?”

“There is.”

“How do I release it?”

“I am not authorized to release that information.”

“Who is?”

“The two pilots.”

“I authorized the release.”

Cinny said, “I also authorize the release.”

“I am not authorized to release the data.”

Grant looked at Whippet and he could only shrug. Cinny’s eyes narrowed and she closed them. After a moment she said, “Grant, you inserted the key in the console. What if we both insert the key together?”

“What do you mean?”

“Pull the key out and let me see it.” Grant went over and pulled the key out of the console. It had a light blue glow on the end of it. He held it in his hand and felt some indentations on the back of it. He turned it over and saw two rows of four indentations running along the back. He saw one row was larger than the other. He gripped the key again placing his four fingers in the larger indentations and motioned Cinny over. “Put your fingers in the smaller indentations and then let’s push the key back in the console.” Cinny gripped the key and they noticed the two indentations on top of the key for their thumbs. They placed the end of the key in the slot and pushed it into the console. Every light on the bridge went out and they were left in total darkness. Whippet said, “Pull it out!”

They kept their grip on the key and pulled it out of the console. The lights came back on and Grant looked around the bridge, “There are more lights on than before.”

Cinny nodded and then a hologram of a woman dressed in a burgundy colored uniform appeared on the bridge. The woman looked at them and smiled, “I see you have found the activation module.”

Grant said, “Who are you?”

“My name is Admiral Ana Mosem. I am an interactive computer program designed to help you fulfill your roles for humanity. I am now in control of the computer and will be your assistant from this moment forward.” The woman looked at Whippet, “Who is this?”

“A friend who had helped us more than you can imagine. We would not have found the key without his guidance.”

The woman stared at Whippet and said, “Why should I trust you?”

Whippet shrugged, “Why should you trust anyone?”