Zytainium: Dimensions

Zytainium - Dimensions

By Robert Willgren

Copyright 2012 Robert Willgren

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Image credit: NASA/ESA

Acknowledgement

I acknowledge all the help and support of Bren. With her assistance, this work was possible.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Advanced Technology

Chapter 2 – Secret Bases

Chapter 3 – Brave New Gasvores

Chapter 4 – Striking Back

Chapter 5 – Securing the Sites

Chapter 6 – Gasvorian Cleansing

Chapter 7 – Undiscovered Sites

Chapter 8 – Symbols

Chapter 9 – New Galaxy

Chapter 10 – A Transition

Chapter 11 – Base Discoveries

Chapter 12 – Base Gatherings

Chapter 13 – First Contact

Chapter 14 – Dimension Factor

Chapter 15 – Dimensional Invasion

Chapter 16 – Invasion Intelligence

Chapter 17 – Secret Order

Chapter 18 – Preparations

Chapter 19 – Invasion with Force

Chapter 20 – Unbeatable

Chapter 21 – The Calm

Chapter 1 – Advanced Technology

I swear coming with you guys was a bad idea, Edan screamed from the rear seat of the rover. I threw out the branches and leaves from my lap while keeping an eye on the rough trail ahead. This area had never been used by a ground transport before.

Sorry about that Edan, I yelled over my shoulder. The last boulder that I struck with the front wheel of the rover sent us into and through a bunch of small trees. The rover’s engine hummed while the mechanical moving parts made more of whirring sound. The sound of air whistling by plus the ripping, crunching, and smashing of the rovers wheels on the ground made most of the deafening noise.

In this valley just outside CDF Alpha Base Farius was a mixture of flat, rough, and impossible terrain. It was my idea to test the rover from Destiny since the ground transport was sitting off to one side of Edan’s ship lab. It sat there beaconing me to take it out each time I visited the site.

The rover is strong, Chase shouted beside me. Those last trees didn’t slow us down at all.

Yes I know, except we almost flipped, I shouted back to Chase. I was back on relatively flat ground zigzagging around the scattered boulders. Many of the rocks were partially hidden by the tall grass while the fallen tree provided a bump, bouncing us. Of course travelling at a high speed didn’t help the situation. Piloting this transport was not as easy as I first thought, especially over uneven ground. The elongated field we were going through was smooth until the front wheel on my side hit a large rock, bouncing us all in our safety straps. I hung onto the steering wheel but the rock jolted us to the right causing the transport to rock back and forth. I quickly regained control heading back toward the openness before the trees managed to chock the field off up ahead.

Tarin if you slow down maybe you will find an easy way out, Edan yelled from the back of the three-seater rover.

Yes I’m sure. What fun would that be? I yelled over my shoulder.

Why do I bother? Edan shouted back. Chase smiled.

Both Captain Chase, my best friend, co-pilot of Destiny, and Chief Technical Analyst Edan had been working hard the last couple of days. I knew they needed a break from all the efforts they had put in recently. The extra time they got was much welcomed as a result of the emergency meeting I had with Supreme Commander Felan, Commander Ora, and new council member Elder Jarod. Felan had kept the communication with the alien Chancellor low-key. Those in the CDF leadership or working on advanced technology projects were aware of the alien communiqué. The Chancellor from some unknown place had contacted Commander Felan to apologize for the attempted kidnapping incident at the council building. The Chancellor told us to enjoy our time of peace and would leave us alone.

My zigzagging was throwing chunks of grassy field up into the air from all four powered wheels. The encroaching trees did not look inviting until I spotted an opening through some larger green-leafed trees. Those large trees I would not want to hit. The terrain sloped down from here aiming for the break in the slight clearing. What I did not expect was the sudden downward slope and we bounced over the uneven decline viciously throwing us around. What I thought was a clearing was a ravine with streaming water running through it. From the split second I had to choose, the ravine appeared inviting with no major issues of getting through. I could see the water was not too deep.

I look at Chase for the briefest of moments and he smiled back. Everything slowed at that point. I remember thinking about the peace the Chancellor talked about. Since that meeting weeks ago we kept busy with the intergalactic ship Destiny’s rebuild, refit, remodelling, and constant changes. We were adding everything from our advance technology finds into the ship. What Edan had found, after many failed attempts at replicating the fused energy quartzate components, was that it’s not easy. The process was delicate requiring him and his team to rethink many of the processes utilizing the advanced technology.

I thought as I looked down at the fast approaching rocky-banked river, we could use some of that advanced technology right now. The water wasn’t too deep as I could see the stony bottom across most of the wide river. What I did miss were the large boulders hidden behind the lush bushes. Crashing through the bushes was easy until I noticed the boulders were followed by an immediate drop-off to this side of the river.

That’s when everything slowed down further. The bushed swatted aside allowing the front wheels to strike the rocks at an angle that was higher than the front end of the rover. We would not bounce over this obstacle easy. The front made a dead stop with the crunching crash noise causing the rear of the rover to rise while Chase and I were thrown forward only being held in by the safety straps. For a second I thought the rover might stop and drop back down. Not so, as the rear end continued to rise while at the same time the rover’s front end moved upward scraping the stone. We were flipping upward and it was weird looking down at the ground from air realizing we were standing perpendicular and slowly going upside down. The crash only took two seconds to complete.

I should have listened to Edan’s advice about slowing down after all. The rovers roll bars, which was a great thing to have as they hit the stony stream bottom first. The water here was not deep and the stone-sand combination bottom absorbed most of the forward energy, and just enough for one more flip back onto the wheels. There we rested in five feet of water getting washed over by the cool river.

Is everyone alright? I looked at a dazed Chase and then to Edan who was shaking wet sand out of his air. It was now serious, I didn’t mean to get my friends hurt and felt kind of stupid for the whole stunt.

I’m okay, Chase said. That was different.

I’m installing shields on this device, Edan said.

Sorry guys. I would have stopped if I knew there was a drop off. All was quiet with the babbling sound of water running through the rover and over us. The gentle sound of the stream was soothing and was a peaceful moment if not for the crash. I depressed the footpad control to move forward not knowing what to expect and to my surprise, the rover began to move forward. The other side of the river was not far off and we were in the deepest part of the river. The wheels spun under the water churning up the sandy bottom slowly jolting us forward each time the wheels got a grip. The water flowing across my lap soon fell away as the rover pulled itself into shallow water. The far bank straight ahead was too steep to climb. I looked both up and down river for an alternate exit finding a spot slightly downstream.

I veered the rover downstream at a leisurely pace bouncing over rocks and the occasional log until I arrived at the get out spot. The rover’s front wheel on Chase’s side was first to encounter the three-foot high sandy bank with growing grass on top. The wheel chewed through the sand and grass attempting to eat a path up while the other wheels spun still pushing us forward. The front right wheel finally jumped over the top and even though we were angled, the rest of the wheels scratched and pawed their way to the flat surface of the bank area. From here looking around there was no easy exit point and funny sounds were coming from the rover. I stopped and looked at Chase.

Tarin, she’s going to find out, Chase said. Might as well get it over with.

Get what over with? Edan asked.

The beating Tarin will get when Ora finds we crashed the rover, Chase said. Don’t you remember Ora telling him no boneheaded manoeuvres?

Oh yeah, Edan said. I knew without looking at him he had his serves you right grin on his face. Boy, are you going to get it. I pulled out my comm.

Greetings Ora. I tried to sound cheerful despite the sore bruises I had from the safety straps digging in from the violent tossing.

Don’t give me that, Ora said. What boneheaded thing have you done now?

Now relax, I still tried to remain calm. We happen to hit a rock and were tossed into the river.

You what? she yelled. I had to move the comm away to save my eardrums. Where are you? Oh forgot it, I’m on the way and I’ll bring the medical team. I knew she left her comm on for a few more seconds on purpose. Yes I have to go. Boneheaded Tarin has crashed the rover. I couldn’t make out the words of whom she was with. If he’s not really hurt, I’m breaking his leg. Then the comm closed. Chase, the big help that he is, started to snicker, and then broke out laughing.

We only suffered bruises, with Edan faring the best. They both forgave me for the accident and were sorry that we didn’t get a chance to enjoy the food we brought for the picnic we were going to have. Ora was upset for a while and finally let it go telling me she knew we would crash. She said boys and their toys.

The soreness from the incident was a reminder to me to watch what I was doing and the rover needed upgrading in case we were off world. Regardless Edan had a team assigned to make the upgrades to the transport. It had been a month since the first meeting with the Chancellor. During that time it was quiet, too quiet, which gave me concern. My concern was not only for what was going on in the galaxy, but also for our own people believing that nothing possibly was going to happen. Its funny how quickly complacency was creeping back into our system.

Ora had the assignment of distributing the captured zytainium and set up a special committee to review requests for help from the systems. The committee was the best way to deal with energy shortages that we had. Emergency supplies were provided immediately to quell discontent from the shortages. The Rolutan’s bitterly complained about not getting more zytainium as a huge quantity was found in their system. That was one area where the committee taking its time worked as the Rolutan’s requests for more of the mineral were falsified.

I visited Grundale space station a few times dropping off supplies for Joe and the items for raspy guy. Our conversation was brief. I figured he was waiting to see what came from the Chancellor’s contact. Two days after our rover crash, early in the morning, Edan contacted me.

Tarin you might want to get over to my lab, Edan said.

What have you found this early.

I was out working late on the comm devices trying to resolve some issues, he said. You know I have been trying to figure out a communication issue between devices. I knew what he meant. He was frustrated that he couldn’t figure it out. Anyway, I turned in dreaming about our crash, flipping over and it came to me. The component that connects the tube communication connectors was flipped backwards. I feel so stupid for missing that. He would go on forever if I didn’t interrupt.

Edan what does that mean?

It means that I can get the comm device to work, he said.

You mean you can locate other cache sites?

That’s exactly what I mean, he said. You get over here and I’ll show you. I closed the comm and I literally ate and ran. It didn’t take me long to get to Farius Base to Edan’s lab.

Now show me where I can find the alien ships. I said. Edan turned on the comm device with other alien components connected to it. It looked like a disorganized mess with wires, tubes, and components loosely connected together. Parts and pieces from failed attempts were scattered all over his workbenches. His persistence had finally produced results.

A holo image formed above the comm device displaying a section of our galaxy. Edan entered data into a console connected to the comm device unit. Edan began calling it a CDU for short.

We were able to find the fighters signature, Edan said. We found that with our prefabricated components used on Destiny. That’s the best way to describe it without getting to technical. And when I input that signature, he paused, we get this. Small red dots appeared in different locations throughout this section of space.

I chose a subset of space close to our system, Edan said. As you can see we have lots of selections. He input other criteria data and the number of red dots lessened.

Tarin, you’ll be pleased with this, Edan said, All of these locations contain 500 or more alien fighters.

I blinked twice upon hearing that, What? We have thousands of fighters then.

That’s right, Edan said. I looked at Chase and we gave each other a firm nod.

Which one should we visit? I asked.

I would recommend this site in the Messkaun system, Edan said. Same world as the underwater facility and has the largest quantity of fighters.

Good work Edan. Let’s go and check this out Chase. We left Edan’s lab returning to our old predator.

Chase, ready to jump?

Ready, he said and activated jump function from his console. A moment later, we were outside the seventh planet. The cache site was located in the remote mountains on the far side of the world from the deep underwater facility. As we flew toward the site, I remembered the costly price this world paid for having the unknown site. The Gasvores viciously attacked them, attempting to get information that they did not know, sad. Ora had sent in large numbers of medical and support personnel to assist the peoples with adjusting to their new reality. A final death count was in the tens of millions. It was very sad to know that located on their world was technology that could have helped them if they only knew. I didn’t know what the ramifications for removing alien technology from this world is. That dilemma would be for the Commander or the newly formed council to resolve. It would be an interesting test for new council.

We’re approaching the location, Chase said. I looked at the holo display in front of me.

There is a cloaked entrance, Chase said.

Can TC1 override it? Chase went to work on the cloak.

No we can’t override it from the outside, he said. There’s a good chance of a console control panel inside.

Find us a close place to land.

Will do Tarin. Chase found the best place to land. The brown-grey mountainous area was barren of vegetation. I swung the predator around and landed on a small plateau that was above the cloaked entrance. Chase had detected a side entrance that we hoped we could open.

Lets see if anyone’s home, I said.

I didn’t detect anyone, Chase said. I chuckled as we exited out the rear of the ship. Outside was a light cool breeze for our walk to find the entrance. First, we had to find a way down. I went to the edge looking straight down the 200-foot drop. On my right was the best place to start in a sloped area.

Chase, over that way, I pointed. See if we can find a way down. he nodded and looked as I went along the edge.

Hey Tarin, Chase yelled from beside a huge rock, I found a rough trail. I joined him looking on the other side of the rock to see what he found. It was a path that had become overgrown.

Nice, I said. We walked down the rough-hewn stone stair path meandering through rocks and boulders. It took us a few minutes to traverse the few hundred feet down towards the base. At the bottom Chase pulled his scanner out.

This way, he said. The camouflaged cloak blended perfectly with the rest of the sloped area. He stopped short of what looked like a rock wall, continuing to scan.

The trick is to find the shield’s phase harmonic frequency, Chase said.

I’m glad one of us understands this stuff. He looked at me with a smirk.

You’re hands are full with politics, he said.

Yeah. I could hear harmonic sound feedback. Chase was close. A moment later, the rock face disappeared revealing a small section with a metallic entranceway built into the slope.

One down, Chase said and he walked into entranceway, scanning it. There was no panel, no keypad, and no handle to open to doorway.

What are we looking for? I asked.

Some sort of release, Chase said. It could be anywhere. I pulled out my comm and started scanning. The unknown metallic material was similar to the structure on Avion. I found nothing on my side of the doorway. I scanned walking backwards. We found nothing. I walked back out as far as possible on the plateau area in front of the hidden entrance. My scanning identified an unknown material on one of several greyish boulders off to the side.

Chase, is this what we are looking for? Chase came over.

You found it, he said. Why is it that you have the knack for finding things?

I smiled at him, it’s a gift. He pressed the control, opening the bulkhead entrance into the rock wall.

Very good Chase. We went in through the opening. It was dark and we both scanned the interior. Chase went over to the side rock wall, pressing something, lighting the entire place. I looked stunned by the scene in front of us.

Wow, Chase said as we both looked at the huge array of alien ships neatly parked in rows as far as the eye could see.

Tarin, we have a thousand ships sitting here in this hangar bay.

And here we have been begging the Avionians for help. I fondly remember my last conversion with Commander Macerio last week and he still had not been granted permission to bring up the alien technology request. His hardheaded council refused to believe there was any threat and wanted to slow any technical advances. They also concluded that the current peace was directly related to their refusal of sharing of any more advanced technology located in their system.

They can have their junk back, Chase said. I had to agree.

Chase we have fighters.

And we have fighter pilots trained to fly, he said. I see where you are going with this. Chase looked around. As good a place as any. I nodded pulling out my comm and connected with Ora.

Yes Tarin, you’re not in trouble?

No Ora. Chase and I are looking at a thousand advanced ships.

What? she asked. Where are you?

On the underwater facility world.

I take it you’re back in operation? she said.

That is correct. Now I need a force to secure the site and Chase wants our trained pilots brought here. We can use this facility as a forward launching point. Half the pilots can take fighters back to our system.

You know Colonel once you start finding new things, it’s followed by bad things.

I hope you didn’t buy that peace crap from the Chancellor.

Of course not, she said. Send me the coordinates. Forces are on standby. I sent the coordinates and closed the comm.

Now let’s find the entrance control, Chase said. He went back to the rock wall looking for additional control panels. Down further he found a cloaked recessed control panel in the rock. I looked over the ships aligned on the semi-glossed hangar bay floor. The sight was impressive. My comm went off.

Yes, group leader.

Strike force Ora1 here to secure the site, sir, said the leader.

Standby for decloaking, I said. The bay filled with natural light. I looked and could see the barren desert mountains in the distance. Chase figured it out. I pulled out my comm to scan the facility and see what else was hidden here. An entrance was on the back wall.

Chase I want to check out the rest of the facility.

You’re curious about what’s behind the far bay wall, he said. I nodded and we continued along the rock wall. It took us a few minutes to cover the distance to the back wall. I occasionally looked through the lines of the silver two-seater fighters. The silver of the ship gleamed off the bay floor. The entrance was partway down the far back wall. We entered a large corridor leading to a set of blast doors. Chase pulled out his comm to scan for a control panel finding it on his left side and activated the blast door release. The heavyset doors swung inward revealing a dimly lit room with faint glowing light in the background. We entered with Chase scanning for the lighting control.

The large sunken room illuminated revealing well-spaced alien equipment; a huge array of portals was central to the room with a circular control station; a number of energy producing devices was arranged on the right. On the immediate left was a huge portal larger then the one on Avion. I approached the railing overlooking all the advanced alien technology.

There’re more areas on the back wall, Chase said. I’d say meeting type room, labs, supplies and parts storage. My comm activated.

Greetings Ora.

Tarin, I’ll be landing shortly and you were right.

Right about what?

Avion has been hit by the Gasvores, she said. And it gets worse.

Don’t tell me, they breached the cache location.

Right. A large strike force landed quickly overwhelming the cloaked facility while simultaneously hitting Lathine. That distracted their forces enough for a majority of fighters flown out. I’ll tell you the rest when I land. Chase was over checking the large portal ring.

Chase, the Avions were just hit by the Gasvores. They flew off with most of the ships.

Commander Macerio got his proof that the Gasvores are still out there, he said, the hard way.

That’s right. Now I need more pilots trained right away.

We can use this facility as the training central, he said. This base will require protection as well.

Chase I want you to get trainers here fast. With the Gasvores still around and with these fighters, the balance of power can shift. I paused wondering if we should have been doing more during the past month. And why did the Gasvores strike now? Did it have anything to do with us finding this base? Very suspicious.

Ora wants to talk to me when she arrives meaning I will be called into a meeting. Chase nodded. Please get the predator, park the ship inside somewhere, and pull out a plasma rifle. We are now on alert.

I’ll take care of things here Tarin. We both left the sunken room with Chase going to climb the slope and get our predator. The securing strike force had arrived with plasma carrying troops spreading out taking up defensive positions. Three ships flew in and landed off on the right side. Ora exited a predator, which was my destination.

What’s the rest? I asked.

You’re required back on Helios for a war strategy discussion, she said. I’m to take you back with me.

Figures, can’t they have meetings without me?

Tarin, you have much experience with the Gasvores and in these situations. Everyone respects your opinion. I frowned upon that. And you get to see our new council in action.

Can’t the Commander authorize actions?

Technically no since another system has been invaded, Ora said. Commander Felan can make the case that we are in jeopardy and authorize action but he figures this is an excellent opportunity for the elder council to show their wisdom. Besides, he still has a fall back plan.

Yeah, what’s that?

If everyone screws this up, she said smiling, you’ll just not follow any orders and do what you want with everyone eventually coming on board.

Smells like politics. I heard another ship flying in and turned to see Chase bringing in the predator. He landed along the crowded wall and came over to us carry a plasma rifle.

Chase you must have moved fast, I said. He smiled.

The trainers are expected in an hour, Chase said.

An hour? I said loudly. We don’t have time for that, I need them immediately. Ora what is this crap? She raised her hand and got on her comm. A few forceful words later and I knew something had changed.

Okay Colonel, how’s a few minutes? she said.

Thank you Ora.

Chase, it looks like your groups will be here soon.

Right, he said.

Tarin, we have to go, Ora said.

Yeah I know. I’m taking a fighter back to Helios. She appeared momentarily confused and then nodded. I recalled telling her that she should get training on the new fighter. As it worked out, that training never happened, and with only three fighters to use, the schedule was tight. The one fighter that was accidentally damaged didn’t help the training schedule and made Edan mad when he had to stop his other work to repair it.

I walked over to the closest one, touched the panel that recessed the foot and handgrips and slid the canopy back with the correct sequence instead of using the upper control pad. I went up the steps and into the ship remembering to remove my blaster belt and taking out my comm. I powered on the fighter with my console and holo display coming to life.

I sent the jump coordinates for Helios from my comm into the fighters navigation system and closed the canopy. The small rectangle on the panel illuminated a brighter green indicating jump system was ready. I gently pulling up on the stick raising the silver fighter and flew toward the exit waving at Ora standing by her ship. No ships were in my flight path at the base’s entrance and I accelerated out of the bay. Once outside I streamed upward using a zigzag manoeuvre to pass through the guarding predators. If they tried to fire it would have been in vain since I was already out of the atmosphere. These ships could move.

I depressed the green triangle; no vortex formed, just a fade in and fade out to instantly arrive in space outside Helios. The jump was instantaneous and felt like time slowed and returned to normal. I had jumped with the fighter a few times but I guess I was still used to the vortex sensation. I pulled back on the stick, zooming through the atmosphere and arriving at Azure within seconds.

I activated the fighters comm system, Spaceport Command, Colonel Tarin requesting permission to land.

Spaceport Command, a pause, sorry Colonel, Hangar Bay 3. I guided the fighter in setting it down between the two predators closest to the hangar bay exit. Opening the canopy automatically recessed the steps and I climbed down after putting my belt back on. At the bottom standing on the bay floor I pulled out my comm.

Ora, where are we meeting?

I’ll be at Spaceport Command, just follow me in, she said.

I’m leaving Hangar Bay 3. Where do I go?

You’re there already? she said.

Yes, the new fighter jump system is fast.

Go to the Spaceport Command building and ask security for the meeting location, she said.

Okay, see you when you arrive. I closed the comm and headed for the skyline. I arrived at the great hall moments later, walking straight to the CDF security checkpoint.

Commander Felan’s briefing location please? I asked one of the many guards. Security had been heightened.

I’ll check sir, the guard said searching his console.

Sir go to the lift and use the code Jarod1, he said.

Thank you, I headed through the security station. In the lift I said the code and went up, sideways, then forward, then up again. This structure still contained many hidden places. The lift stopped, opened, and I walked out into a lighter whitish-blue corridor. A wood grained check-in station was straight ahead with a CDF lady behind it. Two purple dressed council guards stood at attention on either side of the desk. Both had plasma rifles. I arrived at the reception station. The lady was smiling.

Colonel Tarin, please go right in, she said politely while touching a left side panel. A section of medium light wood paneling to her right slid opened revealing a cleverly hidden entrance. I proceeded down a wide corridor toward another closed entranceway with the appearance of a dead end. Within a few feet of it a wood panel slid open revealing a large vaulted room with a wood carved boardroom table centred in front of three rows of tiered seating above the table. The hand carved dark crescent shaped bench-seating look like it had been designed for royalty. Jarod, Ethan, and seven others sat in the centre of the seating spread over two rows. Commander Felan and two of his senior staff sat at the table. The entire room had the look of elegance and opulence, with the best furnishings for the top leadership of our system. I looked at Jarod who shrugged his shoulders.

Colonel Tarin, Felan said, please have a seat. I sat at the other end of the table.

Does Colonel Tarin have a comment? Jarod asked.

I don’t think the council or the Commander would appreciate my comments. Felan looked up apparently missing what was going on. He sat back with the slightest of smirks to take it all in.

On the contrary, Ethan spoke up, I am also curious to know what is behind that look you had when you first walked in.

I stood up. Alright. Many people are out there are busting their buns to prevent our system, our race, and our species from being wiped out and I walk into the room of opulence with the appearance of overlords sitting above. If this exhibit is what we really are as a people, then I say we have already lost. I wondered what the ramifications were going to be from my harsh remarks. They would probably kick me out. The elders above were whispering amongst themselves and Felan was now smiling, clearly enjoying this.

Ora came rushing in at that moment and before she could begin speaking Felan put his index finger to his lips, shushing her. She sat down beside me.

I can only imagine what you said, she whispered to me. I looked at her, expressionless, remaining silent. Jarod stood, followed by the rest of the elders.

Tarin, you bring interesting things to the forefront wherever you go. This space was designed for the council to view proceedings from a distance with the idea of getting good information for good decisions. We have found out recently that has not been working. In here we should recognize that we all equally bring something to the meeting. This space is to be reconstructed with a single table for all to sit at and remove this royalty opulence that has no business in our system. We have worked hard to become a race of people deserving of respect. The look and feel of over-lording will be removed. The council members began leaving the rows to join us at the table.

We don’t have enough seats, Felan said still smiling.

Somebody go find some, Jarod said as he sat beside me. Ora got up quickly heading to the reception area. I could hear her say, "We are short chairs