Chapter No.5

So, take this love, take it down
If you climb a mountain and turn around
And If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will brought it down.
- Dixie Chicks Landslide -

"We have entered normal space, Angie."

"Reduce our speed to 5000 kps, Delphi."

"Yes, Angie."

As usual, Karl reported first. "The star is a G2-5 V spectral class main sequence dwarf. Its luminosity is 97% of Sol and its mass is very close to that of Earth's Sun."

"There are at least eleven planets around the star," Lucia said. "There is a planet at 0.94 AU that is habitable."

"Take us to the planet, Delphi."

"Yes, Angie."

"There are no enemy vessels in this system," Ninja said. "There is residual radiation that is consistent with Dragon technology."

"Keep alert, people," Angie said, standing up. She looked at Marty. "I'm going to go and talk to the Dragon females. Join me."

"Take over, Honey," Marty said.

"I will, Martin."

The two Dragon females were still being held in a holding cell near the brig and they were still naked.

"I want to apologize for not providing you with clothing," Angie told them. "We're creating uniforms for you. They should be ready soon."

"Are you going to torture and kill us?" one of the females asked her.

"We don't do things like that," Angie said. "We want to have you join us on our mission."

The two females exchanged glances. They were obviously surprised by the turn of events.

"You would take us into your crew when we are your enemy?"

"You are not our enemy," Angie said. "You were only following orders. We don't hold grudges and we are anxious to end this war with your people. We can best do that if you join us and help us."

After an exchange in their own language, one of the females spoke. "We accept your generous offer. However, we are hungry and have not eaten in several days."

"I'm sorry. I never intended to have you suffer. We will feed you."

"How will you provide the proper meat that we require?"

"Ah, that is where we are one step ahead of this game. Our exo-biologist has identified the protein mix that is a staple in your diet. We have located a species of animal that matches this mix and have taken on a supply of it. We will provide you with the opportunity to prepare your meals from this supply."

"You are more generous than we expected. We will help you in any way that we can."

"Thank you."

A request signal sounded.

"Come in," Angie said.

Uma entered with clothing for the two females. "These should fit them well, if my measurements were not in error."

"You made these?" Marty asked her.

"Yes. I am pretty good at sewing."

"I'm surprised that you did this. I would have thought that you would never help a Dragon after what happened to you."

"I do not hate these creatures," Uma said. "They did me no harm. It is not proper Dharma to hate others."

"I assume that what you said is a Hindu thing."

"Yes, Martin."

"I would like you to take control of the training of these two," Angie told Uma. "First order of business is to get them fed. We've stocked the meat from a creature similar to a gazelle in the freezers. You can help them prepare it."

"The consumption of animal flesh is against religious practices. I will ask Moto to help me, ma'am."

"Very well."

On the way back to the command deck, Marty smiled at Angie. "This may be the start of something great, and you will be responsible for it."

"We have no choice. These Cyborgs are a much more dangerous enemy. If we can arrange a truce with the Dragons, they may be able to help us clean up their mess and find the Cyborg home world."

"You will go down in history as a great tactician."

"You will go down in history as a great bullshitter."

Marty laughed.

***

The alien planet dominated the main screen with its green and brown landmasses peaking out from under a mantle of clouds that stretched around the planet like a girdle. The blue-white seas glistened like polished osmium from the light of an alien sun.

It was just another habitable planet.

"Launch probes, Delphi."

"Yes, Angie."

"There are city structures on the planet's surface," George said. "This is definitely an intelligent species."

"The troposphere extends up to 20 kilometers," Masai said. "The winds below the troposphere are blowing at 300 kilometers per hour. Temperature at that altitude is -20 C."

"Oxygen concentration is 18%. The rest is nitrogen and argon," Gem-Ado said. "Carbon dioxide is at .03%."

"Launch the Mother, Delphi. Distribute insects at 3000 meters."

"Yes, Angie."

After the alien searching-biometric insect probes emerged from the Mother, video feeds began.

"They employ machine technology," Marty said. "Those air skimmers remind me of what we saw on the Drak home world."

"That could be because they are Draks," George said, switching his screen to the main screen.

"I'll be . . ." Marty said.

All Drak eyes on the X-5001 were focused on the main screen.

Marty turned around. "I think we've found your genesis planet, Moto."

"This is not like our world," Moto said. "Females are clothed."

"Yeah, you're right. If this is the Drak genesis planet, the social anomalies that we encountered must have occurred after the exodus."

"This is nuts," Angie said. "So far we have evidence that four different species, including humans, originated in Andromeda. Didn't any intelligent species originate in our galaxy?"

"The rate of new star formation in Andromeda is much lower than that of our galaxy," Karl said. "This could indicate that Andromeda is more mature and that it evolved intelligent life earlier than in our galaxy."

"Or it could mean that a more advanced species seeded life in Andromeda first," Marty said.

"Whatever the reason, we'll make contact," Angie said. "We have to determine if we can arrange a treaty with the Dragon."

"Is it my turn?" Marty asked.

"I don't know, but you can go. Take Moto, Kata and Ninja. You should also take Tyler and Lia. Oh, and take one of the Dragon females."

"I'll take Yin," Marty said.

"Let me guess, the other one is Yang."

"You got it."

"How do you tell them apart?"

Marty grinned. "Yin has larger tits."

She grinned back at him. "You're crazy."

"Yeah, crazy like a fox"

She waved a dismissive hand at him. "Go, get out of here."

***

The pseudo Drak planet slowly rotated beneath the X-5001 as Marty slowly moved a Battle Lander out of the auxiliary hangar. Even at 300 kilometers the planet's massive cities could be clearly seen on the surface. When he fired breaking engines, Marty had no idea where he was going to land. All of the cities were walled.

At least he didn't have to fly through a layer of space junk. The supersonic winds at 10 kilometers were tough, though. Ninja spotted a large level circle near the center of a large city, and Marty sat the Lander down there.

When Marty and his landing part exited the Lander, a dozen aliens of mixed gender greeted them. All were attired in silver form-fitting jump suits with black trim and red insignias. Seeing Moto and Taka precipitated a furious exchange.

"We are like you," Moto said. "But, we are not from here."

"Your speak is strange," a female said. "Where did you come from?"

"We are from a nearby galaxy."

"Why is that one with you?" a male said, pointing at Yin.

"She is a member of our crew," Moto said.

"Why did you come here?"

"We are at war with the species of this one," Moto said, pointing to Yin. "We are here for your help in arranging a truce. There is a more dangerous species that we need to confront before it destroys all biological life in this galaxy."

"We have an arrangement with this one's species," a female said. "They have agreed not to take our people in exchange for our help in surveying the heavens for a species that is machine."

Marty and Tyler exchanged glances.

Tyler stepped forward. "We would like your help in arranging a truce between our people and the species of this one. If an arrangement can be made, we will be more effective in fighting the machine species."

"Surely you can not fight the machine species with that ship."

"That is only an auxiliary ship," Marty said. "We have a much larger vessel in orbit around your planet. The main vessel has enough power to destroy this entire star system."

That appeared to upset the aliens.

"We are not threatening you," Tyler said. "If you do not wish to help us, we will leave your star system. We are offering you our help."

"This issue will require more deliberation," a male said. "We will signal you when we are ready with our decision."

"We await your decision," Tyler said.

Marty ushered the landing party back into the Lander.

When he arrived back on the command deck, Angie was anxious to hear his report.

"We will have to wait on their answer to our request for help," Marty said. "My guess is that they'll help us."

"I hope so," Angie said. "I don't like the prospects of facing a new enemy with no good intel."

"I agree, but we have no idea how these people will react. They have some arrangement with the Dragons, but the details of this arrangement were not related to us."

"Well, I think I'll go talk to the two new crew members."

Angie went to the quarters that where given to the two Dragon females. When they saw her, they were surprised.

"I'm sorry if I disturbed you," Angie said. "But, I just wanted to see how you're doing."

"We are doing much better than we had anticipated."

"How was your food?"

"We find it very delicious. You are most generous in feeding us."

"I am happy to hear that. You will make good crewmembers. We will train you in your duties while in our service."

"We will do anything that you wish of us in gratitude for the respect you have shown us."

"I appreciate that," Angie said before she left.

When she got back to the common room of hers and Marty's quarters, Angie found Marty relaxing.

"How are the two Dragon females?" he asked her.

"They're doing quite well. I think that I've earned their respect. I'm surprised how well the rest of the crew has adjusted to them."

"I think that, as a people, we've made great strides in our treatment of other species, including enemies."

"We're not out here to kill for no reason," Angie said. "We're here to save people."

"Amen to that."

"If you don't mind, I'm going to catch some shuteye," Angie said.

"Go and have sweet dreams," Marty said with a smile.

***

"We have just received a message from the planet," Lia said. "It was sent on a laser beam."

"What did it say?" Angie said.

"They wish to talk."

"Good." She turned to Marty. Same crew; different day."

"Understood, Admiral."

The trip back to the surface was much easier this time, and there was less anxiety. Marty and his landing party were led to a building near the center of the city. The building appeared to be constructed of polished marble, but that was just a superficial observation. The meeting room was large enough with many stone chairs around a stone table.

When a male Dragon came into the room alongside six aliens, Marty felt a sudden rush. Ninja eyed him with the disdain of a typical soldier. The male Dragon looked at Yin and after a few seconds asked her in their language why she was with the enemy. She told him that she was taken captive but was given the choice of being put off on some planet or joining them. She said that she was treated with respect and had been given meat that was just as delicious as any she had ever eaten. This revelation had a calming effect on the male Dragon.

"We have been told by these people that you wish to negotiate a truce," the male Dragon said.

"Yes," Tyler said. "We wish to end our conflict with you and join you to fight the machine creatures who are ravaging all biological life in this galaxy."

"We are interested in this arrangement. Our home world was destroyed by these machine creatures with the loss of 30 billion of our kind. What remains is now dispersed over a wide series of stars in an attempt to preserve our kind."

"We understand," Tyler said. "Then, all that is left is the terms."

"We are ready to negotiate these terms."

Tyler looked at Marty before beginning. "We want to have an immediate cessation of harvesting of humans. We have found an animal species on a planet near here that will provide you with nourishing and delicious meat that is equivalent to what you are accustomed to. We will reveal the existence of this planet if you agree with us. We also want all remaining humans returned to us."

"There are not many of your kind still alive. The machine species has taken over many of our farms and have killed them."

"I was afraid of that," Marty said.

"We will be satisfied if you reveal all and any such farms," Tyler said.

"We agree."

"We also wish to know where the home world of these machine creatures is," Tyler said.

"We have not been able to find it. Even if we did know its location we would not be able to invade it without much loss."

"We have weapons that can cause the destabilization of a star," Tyler said. "If we could find their home world we could end their domination of this galaxy."

"This would be desirable, but finding their home world will be difficult."

"We will return to our own galaxy and bring a fleet over to help in its discovery," Tyler said.

"I will relay your offer to my command. I am certain that they will agree for we have been decimated and need help."

"We promise help. We did not come here to conquer or dominate. We only wish to establish peace."

The female Dragon reiterated that sentiment to the male Dragon, who appeared to be satisfied.

***

"I have detected the presence of fifty Dragon vessels," Ninja said. "They have dropped out of jump at a million kilometers."

"I want three fighters launched," Angie said. "Martin and Ninja, Andy and Moto and Tiana and Taka."

"Yes, Admiral."

"Put us in full stealth mode, Delphi. Please increase full power to the shields and put weapons on standby."

"Yes, Angie."

"Organize repair teams," Angie said to George. "I want this entire vessel on alert."

"Yes, ma'am."

Marty and Ninja were first out in the X-501, and they flew off to hide on the backside of the alien moon.

"Please power up weapons Delphi. Shields to maximum."

"Yes, Martin."

"Now comes the wait," he said to Ninja.

Angie was waiting on pins and needles. She knew that a battle with a large enemy fleet would result in casualties, and here she sat with a ship full of innocent humans.

A tense hour faded into history before something happened.

"I have a request for COM from a Dragon ship, Angie."

Angie stood up and straightened her jacket. "Open COM, Delphi."

"COM opened, Angie."

"This is Admiral Sarasota of the Space Command Starship X-5001. State your business."

"I am Supreme Commander of remaining Fleet. We have discussed your proposal and wish to discuss terms."

Tyler smiled.

"Our terms are simple: Return all humans under your control and cease further abductions. After we transport all humans back to Earth, we will return and help you destroy the machine species that we call Cyborgs."

"We have complied with your terms. We have all remaining of your people. The rest are on bases that were taken from us. We have recalled all of our people in your galaxy."

"How shall we make the transfer of our people?" Angie asked.

"We will transfer them to the planet. We can meet there and finalize plans."

"We await that time."

"COM has been dropped, Angie."

Angie turned to Tyler and smiled.

***

Marty keyed his helmet mic. "Hey, Angie, there must be nearly a thousand people down here."

"Shit! I hope Onuki has enough sedatives to put them all to sleep."

"Last I heard she was going to flood the entire deck with anesthetizing gas."

"Okay, I'll send down everything I can."

"I'll have them ready."

Marty pointed to Lia and Uma. "Start forming groups. We don't have any time to waste."

"There are a lot of these people that are naked," Uma said. "We have nothing to clothe them with."

"Segregate them by gender," Marty said. "We don't have time to clothe them."

Uma went over to the main group of people. "Okay, people. We want men over to the right and women over to the left."

Very few people moved. Uma shouted even louder. "Hurry up or you'll be left behind."

That got them moving. When they were finished segregating themselves, Uma counted 750 women and 230 men. Almost all of the men were naked and half of the women. Obviously, the Dragons had taken these people directly off of camps with butcher shops.

The sight of so many naked people lining up to enter the Landers was disturbing and fascinating at the same time. Marty looked on it as a necessary evil.

When Marty finally arrived back on the command deck, he found Angie chomping at the bit.

"Is everybody squared away?"

"Almost. Lia and Uma are still trying to get everybody situated before we go to jump."

"Take us out of orbit, Delphi. Go to jump speed."

"Yes, Angie."

Marty switched his navigational screen to the large transport deck. What he saw was unbelievable. Over 1500 people were jammed on the deck in jump chairs, and it looked like a nudist convention.

"We're ready to go," Uma said. Lia and I will leave the deck now."

When Marty saw that they were out, he turned to Onuki. "They're ready."

Onuki keyed a command and the deck was flooded with gas. Soon, everybody was asleep.

"Okay, Honey. It's your turn. Start the injections."

"Yes, ma'am."

Onuki, Wendy and Arby went to work injecting sedatives into all of the crew, and Angie and Marty were last to get happy juice.

Sweet dreams.