While holding onto the control yoke Lieutenant T’Nal checked his Head’s-Up-Display for the stat’s that showed his shuttles heading. From the way his craft was flying there was a stiff wind coming in on his strong side that he hadn’t been warned about. It was pushing him off course. The Kthpok gave a shrug with his tail. He should’ve been given a weather update about it earlier but this wasn’t difficult. He could adjust. A slight turn on the yoke brought the craft into an easy bank. He watched the HUD as his ship swung back to the correct heading.
Satisfied his craft was flying in the right direction the pilot craned his long neck up and around so he could see out the window on his left. Passing some three thousand feet below he could see squares, rectangles, and circles of various shades of green. Must be crops, T’Nal thought. At least that’s what fields looked like from altitude back on Fairen. There was an occasional grouping of buildings he recognized as farm dwellings with dark brown lines which meant roads connecting the groups. The roads all moved towards larger roads and the larger roads stretched in the direction the shuttle was heading. As he watched a dot of light flashed from one of the roads as sunlight reflected from glass or polished metal.
Shifting back around, he looked through the front screen to see their destination outlined on the horizon directly ahead. That was Cosli, the capital city of Main Hive. Buildings, towers, and bridges could be seen in profile and everything seemed a little odd. To his eye, the angles and shapes of the structures were all wrong. Specks of light above the city indicated there were more craft in the air than his shuttle.
He reached out a talon and flicked a switch adjusting the trim of his craft. “Navigation!” T’Nal called. “I want a location check. Have we been notified of any restricted space we should avoid?”
“We’re fifty miles from the Iidx capital, approaching on the correct vector,” announced Lieutenant JG S’Rol, the navigator. He was on a perch to the left and a little behind the pilot. “At our current speed and with no course change, our ETA to the city is twenty minutes. There were no travel prohibitions announced when we left base nor have there been any updates.”
“No updates?” asked the Weapons Officer from his station across from the navigator. “No restricted areas? That’s hard to believe.”
“We’re not going to believe it, R’Mot,” replied T’Nal still watching ahead. “You were at the briefing with the rest of us. Our task is to find those areas and their defenses.
“Now, everyone start recording,” the Commander ordered. “Keep watch for any targeting scanners, defensive structures or missile batteries. We need to pay special attention to the facilities identified by the analysts in orbit as items of interest.”
The pilot craned his neck around to look at S’Rol who also doubled as the communications officer for this mission. “I’m going to reduce our altitude so we can get a better view of the ground,” he said. “Let the ‘experts’ in the back know we’re about to begin the tour of our target. Remind them they’re to watch out their viewports for any items that might be defenses. If they see anything they’re to mark the location on the maps they’ve been given. If they have any questions they better ask.”
“Acknowledged,” said S’Rol as he turned to comply. “Some experts,” the officer sniffed, “as if scientists and techs would know a missile battery or pulser mount from a pile of rocks.”
The pilot ignored S’Rol’s comments and continued his instructions as he went back to his flying. “I’m going to vary from our announced flight plan to do a little ‘impromptu’ sight seeing now. Keep me informed if Iidx Flight Control warns us off any particular heading.” As he spoke his talons moved over his control panel to adjust speed and altitude then turned the yoke. In response the shuttle banked sharply to the left.
“R’Mot!” he called. “I also want to know if we get painted with targeting scans.” The Lieutenant JG acknowledged his orders and turned to concentrate on his equipment.
A moment later the shuttle craft left the regular patchwork areas of agricultural lands and entered the outskirts of the city then came over the city proper. Following orders the passengers held their maps of the city and stared out any nearby window. Below they could see structures, vehicles moving along streets and Iidx walking.
In the cockpit R’Mot spoke up as he looked through his view port at the city. “All those things moving around down there, the Iidx..? They’re so small, like little ants.”
S’Rol snorted from his position, “They are ants, sort of, just bigger.”
“They’ll make a bigger mess when stepped on though,” added R’Mot. Amused hisses from both officers followed the comment.
“We’re not here to be tourists or botanists,” reminded T’Nal cutting through his crew’s laughter. “We have an assignment. Now check your equipment. Are we getting any targeting hits?”
R’Mot turned away from the window he’d been staring out to examine his equipment. A moment later he reported. “There’s nothing Lieutenant, just regular traffic control ranging.”
“S’Rol,” called the pilot. “We’ve moved from our announced and approved flight plan. What are you hearing?”
“Nothing important, Sir!” came the immediate reply. “Traffic Control keeps advising us of other air vehicles in the same area as we are. But as near as I can tell they’re warning the other aircraft away.”
T’Nal swiveled his head around to glance at the Lieutenant JG. “Am I hearing this right?” he asked. “Flight Control isn’t upset about our deviation from course. In fact they’re clearing the way for us. They aren’t ordering us to return to our original course?”
“That’s correct, sir.”
“Strange. No ranging and targeting?” he asked again and turned back to see where they were going.
“Nothing beyond what we’ve already seen,” R’Mot said.
T’Nal shook his head. “Maybe they’re being careful and decided to keep their tracking systems on passive,” he muttered then turned the yoke again causing the shuttle to head for another cluster of buildings. “Have either of you seen any sign of defenses?” The two other Kthpok in the cockpit called back negative. “What about infra-red?” the pilot wondered.
“Nothing showing on the scope,” the weapons officer reported. “Either the Iidx are more proficient at camouflage than we are or there are no defenses.”
“No defenses!” exclaimed T’Nal. Disbelief colored his voice. “This is supposed to be the area of a major military facility. Shells! It’s their planetary capital and you’re telling me they have no defenses?”
All R’Mot could do was shrug and held out his hands. “Look Lieutenant! I don’t create the results,” he said. “I just report them.”
“I still don’t believe it. Make sure all your equipment’s operating within parameters and I want everything recorded,” ordered T’Nal. The pilot was in such a foul mood that neither officer reminded their commander that the order to record everything had been given some time earlier. T’Nal continued. “We’ll sightsee for a while more then head for our designated landing point. The recordings should catch anything we might miss.”
The shuttle circled the Iidx capital for close to an hour without seeing anything that fit their parameters of defensive emplacements. After receiving course information from his Navigator T’Nal banked the craft. He watched as an indicator moved to show the craft was coming to the proper course. “I’ve stretched our side trip as long as I dare,” he announced to his cockpit pack. “Coming onto the heading for our landing point. S’Rol, notify the Iidx we’ve finished our sightseeing and are on our way in.” The pilot gave a snort. “I guess we’d better be diplomatic so tell them we appreciate their patience and understanding. Consult your equipment and tell them when to expect us.”
As the navigation’s officer bent over his equipment to carry out his orders T’Nal turned to R’Mot. “We’ve passed over most of the city and I couldn’t see anything suspicious. Where are the defenses?”
The officer turned away from his console to look at the pilot. He shook his head in disbelief. “There aren’t any.”
T’Nal’s tail went rigid in disbelief. “What about missile batteries, laser mounts, and tracking facilities?”
“There aren’t any!” replied R’Mot and held out his hands. “I didn’t see anything!” The tone of his voice reflected his frustration. He shook his head again and held up a hand to prevent his commander from protesting. “Lieutenant, I know about camouflage but I also looked for power curves. The Bugs may be able to hide the hardware but the power drain or leakage from systems that powerful can’t be masked.”
“But the ships…” Started T’Nal but was interrupted.
“From what I’ve heard our people in orbit haven’t seen anything,” said the weapons officer. “The analysts of the fleet couldn’t believe it either. That’s why we were detailed for a closer look. As you ordered records of everything we’ve done’ve been kept. That way the smarter and wiser heads back at base can review the recordings and see if we missed anything.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think we did. We know how we’d secure a facility and where to place defenses. That’s where we looked. But allowing for an alien mindset and different priorities we looked everywhere else. If the telescopes from orbit and our low altitude swings can’t find defenses there aren’t any.”
A tone sounded. The pilot looked at his instruments then made a few adjustments to the shuttles course and announced, “we’ll be landing in a few moments. There should be defenses in that area so lets get them mapped.”
Fleet Admiral P’Mar read the report on an electronic pad as the data scrolled up the screen. “I don’t believe this,” he muttered and keyed for another section. The other Kthpok in the conference room who’d been summoned to this meeting looked at each other, tails swinging with apprehension. The room they occupied was in the administration center of their land base. A large window behind the Fleet Admiral’s perch showed the cluster of ships on the landing field but no one was looking outside. They were all concentrating on their commander.
“This can’t be right,” the Kthpok leader muttered and craned his neck to look at the Kthpok around the table. “We used our technology excursions as an excuse to look for defenses and our people found nothing!” he announced. “Is it possible the Bugs learned of our intentions and hid their defenses from us?”
Glances were exchanged once again before the Point of Alien Intelligence, Captain Z’Had, spoke. His position had been created since entering this system and with the Iidx in mind. “It is possible Fleet Admiral, though not probable,” he said. “I don’t see how they could have learned what we’re doing. No Kthpok is going to tell them. But if they have learned what we have in store for them the Iidx had their defenses hidden long before we arrived. As you ordered we’ve been scanning and observing the surface upon entering orbit. Nothing was detected with the initial scans. That was why we utilized the tech trips.” He gave a shrug of his tail. “We hoped a closer look would reveal the location of the defenses we’d have to contend with. All types of scans were used. We’ve gone over the recordings from the flights in detail.” He held out his hands. “There’s simply nothing there.”
P’Mar shook his head as he thought. “We’ve identified our priority targets but they aren’t defended. It doesn’t make any sense. It’s almost like the Bugs don’t expect to have their facilities or cities attacked. Only the ships of their fleet are targets.”
Another officer perched next to Z’Had spoke up. While his voice was steady his twitching tail betrayed his unease. “A possibility exists to explain why there are no defenses to worry about, sir.” He gestured at the Fleet Admiral. “If the Bugs haven’t fought a war for generations their military would have taken on the role of a police force.”
“And you are?” asked P’Mar.
The Kthpok seemed to shrink on his perch and didn’t answer. He’d violated protocol by speaking in the meeting without receiving permission. The realization fo what he’d done seemed to paralyze him.
“This is Lieutenant Commander C’Ter,” Z’Had replied coming to the Kthpok’s rescue. “I had him come with me as he has an aptitude for thinking in new ways, Admiral.”
P’Mar nodded his understanding. “Thinking in new ways is what we need,” he replied. Then a cunning look came over the Admiral’s face. “A police force. That is an intriguing possibility,” he said and a grin stretched to show his teeth. “If that were true the Bugs wouldn’t be expecting a massive assault, just raids. And those raids would be to obtain wealth not destroy it.” C’Ter seemed to relax a little and he resumed breathing as the possibility of living to see tomorrow appeared on the horizon.
P’Mar shook his head. “That may explain the lack of defenses but it doesn’t explain the size of metal in the Iidx fleet. A fleet of smaller, faster ships would be more suitable to handle mere raiders. There’s got to be an explanation!”
He turned to the Lieutenant Commander who’d offered the suggestion. C’Ter stiffened again in apprehension. “It was your idea, Commander. Use the link established by the linguists to do a search of the Iidx database. I want to know when the last war occurred and how extensive it was. I want the report in less than two weeks.” The Commander had pulled out a pad and was entering notes as fast as the Admiral spoke. P’Mar paused for a moment, thinking then continued. “While you’re looking find out what was targeted during that fighting and why. We also want an explanation for the size of the Iidx fleet.”
After C’Ter acknowledged his instructions the Fleet Admiral turned back to the others. “Even if the scans and surveys are accurate and there are no defenses we aren’t strong enough to take the planet from the Iidx. What progress have we made in repairing and rearming?”
Another officer, Captain K’Zan, consulted the pad he was holding before replying. “In the half year we’ve been on Main Hive our base’s constructed, the repair facility’s been completed and the first ship brought down, Admiral. The dreadnought Terranic is having its hull armor repaired, power mains and controls reset.” He nodded at Z’Don, the captain of the dreadnaught, who was across the table.
“Have the scientists and techs been able to determine if the Iidx have any technology we can use?” wondered the Admiral.
“There are several applications which are readily apparent, sir,” replied Z’Had. “We’ve found the Iidx have a stronger alloy for their armor so we’re going to update our hulls. In addition, their lasers and capital missiles have longer reach and power. We’ll refit to those as well.”
P’Mar nodded his approval of the news. “The Iidx weapons and armor may give us trouble if we can’t achieve surprise against their ships when we attack. But when our fleet returns to Fairen we’ll have no problems with the humans. What’s your time frame for the repairs to the fleet?”
“That depends on the condition of each vessel,” replied K’Zan. “A new, more comprehensive survey of the fleet is being conducted now. After finding out what needs to be repaired and the extent of the refit needed I’ll be able to give you a more realistic schedule. The experience we gain with the Terranic will prove valuable.”
“Very good,” said the Admiral then recapped. “We’ve found technology in alloys and firepower that we’re going to exploit. Is there anything else?” He glanced from one officer to another until he came to the second to last Kthpok at the table who gave a nervous twitch of his tail. “Yes?” prompted P’Mar. “Who are you and what can you contribute?”
The Kthpok dipped his head. “My name is C’Bi. I’m an Analyst for Captain Z’Had. I’m another of those Kthpok who’ve been considered trouble makers because we thought oddly. My assignment is to review Iidx non-military technology. It’s hoped that we’ll be able to find something with military applications our enemy’s overlooked and exploit it.”
“And?” prompted P’Mar then growled at C’Bi’s hesitation. “I’m very busy Analyst! If I have to drag the information out of you I’ll have your tail on my nest wall as a trophy!”
“Yes, Fleet Admiral,” the Analyst dipped his head even further. “I’ve come across several reports of Bug deep sea surveys.”
“How’re undersea studies going to help us?” scoffed Captain Z’Don of the Terranic. Since his ship was in yard talons he’d been reassigned temporarily to the Admiral’s staff which was why he was in attendance. “We don’t worry about fish, we’re a space fleet.”
P’Mar gestured with his tail and the officer fell silent. He turned back to the Kthpok who had brought the issue up. “That is a valid question Analyst. How can a report about strange fish help?”
“Not the reports themselves, Admiral,” was C’Bi’s reply, “but the technology which collected the data for the reports. The Bugs don’t like water and won’t risk their tails in the ocean depths so their probes are under remote control or automated.”
“Under remote control or automated,” repeated P’Mar and the Analyst bobbed his head in agreement. “I see.” C’Bi went to give details but the Admiral waved him silent. A note was made on his pad then P’Mar looked over at C’Bi. “Get everything you can about that technology. We don’t have a large population so that technology could be very useful.” Once again the Kthpok nodded.
The admiral turned to Z’Had. “I want to know if our aircraft can be modified to use this technology,” he announced. “But they won’t be remotely controlled using Iidx software. From all the reports I’ve seen our computers and software are better than what the Iidx have. And as a result our targeting is better.” Z’Had nodded in confirmation.
“Good. Our advantage in computers must remain secret. Utilizing our computers combined with the undersea tech our unpiloted aircraft should be able to operate independently within the parameters of their mission. There’s also the possibility of increasing the automation in our fleet. That’ll allow us to stretch our thin ranks among more ships.
“Now,” continued the Admiral, “we’ve covered the hardware. I want to know about the biology. Can we eliminate the Bugs without damaging the available infra-structure?”
T’Rus, the scientist heading the biological sciences, spoke. “On Fairen we found creatures similar to the Iidx very difficult to kill. Radiation and chemicals had varying degrees of effectiveness depending on the species.
“We’ve been conducting experiments on the biology found on this island.” He gestured towards the window and the jungle beyond the landing strip. “We know what it takes to kill the small creatures but if that translates to the Iidx,” he shrugged, careful not to nudge Z’Don who was perched nearby. “There’s no guarantee. All we can do is extrapolate and it may not work. The only way to know for sure is to have actual subjects to test."
The Admiral made another note on his pad. “That’ll be more difficult to arrange. We’ll have to acquire the subjects without raising the concerns of the Iidx leadership. How many are we talking about?”
The biologist shrugged, “at least five, Admiral. More would be better. Say ten.”
P’Mar nodded. “Your first number is possible. I’ll have the order given to obtain your samples.”
Swarm Master Zelof stood on the ridge of a foothill that provided a view of his most important brainstorm, the Secure Hive project. As he looked around he saw a single large mountain range rising from the floor of the desert. But there were no roads or structures or any sign a major military base was in the vicinity. He saw only rocks, sand and scrub brush.
The foothill he was on led to the mountain transitioning through sandstone cliffs to a granite monolith. Scrubby, sparse plants of the desert gave way to the thick pines of higher altitudes. An occasional cloud could be seen moving through the blue sky providing a brief respite from the sun. Zelof glanced up at the sky to see where the clouds were as heat baked his shell. “What steps have been taken to guarantee project security?” he asked and turned to his companion.
The Iidx standing next to him in the heat of the day was the project Commander. “We’ve tested for electronic emissions, power drains, and infra-red, sir,” Reminat reported. “As is evident this facility maintains the appearance of the surrounding environment.”
“What about visual?” asked the Swarm Master. “Satellites and ground.”
“This site was selected because it was so remote, sir,” replied Reminat. “It’s on a military preserve and in a desert. We have regular patrols out looking for any unauthorized personnel.” He shook his head. “We haven’t found any. Anyone poking around here’d be crazy, Iidx or Kthpok. It’s too hot and dry. The surface problem is handled that way. But satellites? We made the initial excavations when there were only communications Sat’s overhead. As you instructed particular care was taken to avoid bringing in equipment and supplies when the Kthpok fleet was overhead. All entrances are hidden with the main service route underground.”
“The tunnel that reaches from Wartten to here has been finished?” asked the Swarm Master.
The Commander nodded. “Yes sir. It was constructed to withstand a nuclear air burst over Wartten. It had high priority and allows all traffic transporting equipment and personnel to travel to Secure Hive without being observed.”
Reminat pointed at the valley below. “As a further test of our security a surface facility located in the plain was constructed and concealed using the same techniques as we did on the Hive. Satellite tech’s were then given a skills examination. This area was designated,” he gestured to encompass the desolate plain below, “as the test site and the techs were told to find what had been constructed there.
“They found the test structure after several hours of scrutiny. To make this exercise effective the Hive had its electronics and power up and running.”
Reminat gave an amused wave of his antennae. “We did a very good job of concealment for the test facility if I do say so myself, Swarm Master. The only way the tech’s found our test building was through a slight power leakage. Upon examination we found a short in a wall outlet in an area of less shielding.” He shrugged. “If our people couldn’t find Secure Hive after being directed to the general area the Kthpok can’t.”
Zelof waved his antennae in approval. “What about power? Plans spec’d the base to have its own power system. Otherwise that could be traced, cut off or destroyed.”
Although he couldn’t understand why the Swarm Master was so paranoid about security or having the new facility remain hidden the Commander had completed the project according to his orders. He replied, “As specified, this facility is self-contained in every area Swarm Master. In fact, the reactor, complete with fuel, is rated for ten generations.
“That’s good. That’s very good,” Zelof said. He motioned for the Commander to lead the way down the hillside. “Since nothing’s apparent from here let’s see the inside of Secure Hive.”
The two Iidx moved down the slope, crisscrossing back and forth, careful not to disturb the dirt or start a rockslide. They didn’t want to leave any sign that would draw Kthpok attention.
Upon reaching the bottom they headed up a ravine that ran towards the mountain. Their footing became more treacherous from the rocks that had been rolled down from higher up by periodic flash floods. The ridge lines on either side rose higher and became a slot canyon that cut through red sandstone as the foothills became the mountain. Zelof paused for a brief instant to note how high up the rock walls the bushes were growing in the rock wall or where debris was wedged in rocks. That was the high water mark.
A moment later the two Iidx reached a hidden entrance. It appeared to be a small natural cave concealed behind a boulder a hundred yards after the slot canyon begun. Reminat slipped behind the large rock. Ducking their heads and antennae the two Iidx scuttled inside a dark tunnel. They moved through the inky blackness as the passage wound back and forth. Both Iidx used their antennae to keep from running into the walls as they made their way deeper into the mountain. At last they reached a lit airlock that had both hatches open.
Looking back down the dark tunnel through which they’d passed the Swarm Master noted where the rough hewn rock gave way to beige tile. “I’m impressed, Commander,” he said. “The way you made the tunnel appear natural was a work of art. Anyone looking in from the ravine would see a rock wall a few yards in and assume they could actually see the end of the cave. The various turns of the tunnel prevent anyone from seeing this light or realizing there’s a facility at the end.
“But what about flash floods? They’ve been known to hit this area as a result of heavy rains on the mountain above.”
“There’s also the possibility of an unusually warm spring rain melting all the snow pack in the mountains at once,” added the Commander, nodding his head. “That would send an unusually large amount of water our way. We’ve accounted for that. The slope of the ravine and the shielding boulder funnels most of the water away from the entrance.” The Commander gestured in the direction of the ravine. “We’ve also designed a gradual upward slope to the airlock. You don’t notice the climb because of the dark. The airlocks are well above the water level of the largest flood ever recorded to provide an additional safety margin.”
“Very good,” said Zelof and moved into the airlock. After he passed into the facility proper Zelof looked around and nodded with approval. The lights, corridor, tile and fresh paint made everything look like any surface facility. It was well lit and had the proper temperature and humidity. This was anything but exile now. Standing aside he gestured for Reminat to lead the way through the corridors.
As they toured the base the Swarm Master nodded at Iidx who were moving through the corridors and poked his head into living quarters, storerooms, armories, and control rooms. Zelof examined equipment and checked air ventilators as if to make sure the air support system was adequate. The Commander reminded him that ventilation was one of the easier items to provide for Secure Hive. There were the redundancies of a dreadnought but the convenience of a habitable planet.
They were just coming to the reactor area in the depths of the mountain when Zelof’s communicator chimed. He waved his apologies to the Commander. “Go on in,” he said. “I’ll join you as soon as I find out what this ‘catastrophe’ is.”
He waited until the Iidx entered the room before activating his device. “Yes?” he asked.
“Second here, Swarm Master,” came the voice. “Kazikami has reported the Infiltration Pod ready.”
“Wonderful! Since all assets are prepared, activate,” ordered Zelof. “Make sure I know the schedule for updates.”
“Confirmed,” said Sesum.
The Swarm Master signed off. At last, he thought. The Presiding Assembly had given the aliens permission to visit vital Iidx facilities and it appeared the Kthpok had used the cover of that permission to spy. He had reports of the activities of the creatures ‘technology excursions’. They were flying all around Main Hive, poking into every nook and cranny of those secure facilities. Now, with Kazi ready he had a chance to find out what their ‘guests’ were really up to. Putting the communicator back into a pouch on his harness he moved to join Reminat in the Power Room.