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The Ark Lords
The Ark Lords
The Ark Lords
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The Ark Lords

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If a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous, then too much knowledge could be deadly!

In this fast-paced sequel to the novel Rome’s Revolution, Rei, Rome and MINIMCOM, the 35th century starship that was once a computer, find themselves under attack from all quarters.

Why? The Ark Lords were the second-most heinous individuals to ever walk the Earth. The first were those responsible for the death of nine billion people – The Great Dying – back in 2081 AD. Who was behind this horrific act has remained a mystery, until the day Rome accidentally stumbles across the answer to the 1400-year-old secret. Merely possessing this knowledge threatens not only Rome’s family, but every man, woman and child throughout the galaxy. Those protecting the secret will stop at nothing to make sure their endgame is secure.

Rei, Rome and MINIMCOM embark on a desperate race through three star systems to try to prevent The Ark Lords from rising again. At stake is nothing less than the fate of all of mankind!

If you like science in your science fiction, this book is for you. The full-length novel is 79,000 words.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateDec 14, 2012
ISBN9781301220960
The Ark Lords
Author

Michael Brachman

Michael Brachman has a Ph.D. in Sensory Science with a minor in Computer Science. Rome's Revolution is his first science fiction series, depicting the enduring love between a man from the 21st century and a woman from the 35th century. Between the two of them, they fend off various threats to mankind. The science behind the science fiction is meticulously researched. It is so realistic, you will believe that these stories are true, they just haven't happened yet.The first book is called Rome's Revolution.The sequel is called The Ark Lords.The final book in the series is entitled Rome's Evolution.All three books are available in paperback and for all e-book readers.

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    Book preview

    The Ark Lords - Michael Brachman

    The Ark Lords

    (Rome’s Revolution: Part 4)

    Michael Brachman

    Copyright 2012 by Michael Brachman

    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.

    THE ARK LORDS

    All rights reserved

    Copyright © 2012 by Michael Brachman

    Cover art copyright © 2012 by Bruce Brachman

    V4.01.0006

    The Rome’s Revolution Series

    Rome’s Revolution

    The Ark Lords

    Rome’s Evolution

    Dedication

    First and foremost, I have to thank my brother Bruce. Not only is he my editor and artist and the inspiration behind MINIMCOM, but he is also fiercely protective of the Vuduri culture and characters. Bruce, I could not have done it without you.

    Thank you to all my readers. All of you helped to make this what it is.

    Thanks to my friend, Helen, for always pointing the way. She provides standards I’ll never achieve but you have to aim for the stars.

    A special thank you to my wife, Denise, for all her love and support throughout the entire process.

    And finally, once again, thank you to Rome and Rei. They kept telling me the story wasn’t over and they were right.

    Guide to the Vuduri Universe of the 35th Century

    Vuduri: 24-chromosome mind-connected humans of the future. Their collective consciousness is called The Overmind. They are the ruling class on Earth. They have a small contingent on the planet of Deucado.

    Essessoni: Humans from the 21st century. The name Garecei Ti Essessoni means The Killer Generation. The Vuduri hold them responsible for the near extinction of the human race. Over nine billion people died in the late 21st century. The event is referred to as The Great Dying.

    Mandasurte: The word means mind-deaf in Vuduri. Typically, a mandasurte has a genetic complement of only 23 chromosomes. They are excluded from most of the Vuduri affairs and have flocked to Deucado since its liberation.

    Erklirte: The word means Ark Lords. These were colonists from the Ark V (original target: Chara) who returned to Earth nearly 600 years after launch. They were very cruel. They reintroduced slavery and tried to take over the Earth.

    Ibbrassati: The word means oppressed in Vuduri. Many mandasurte scientists and other important members of their society were kidnapped and transported to the prison world of Deucado. They were placed there to die in an asteroid strike but were spared when Deucado was liberated.

    Deucadons: Descendants of the Ark III (original target: 82 G. Eridani) who crash-landed on Deucado five hundred years before the story takes place. They had to take refuge underground to avoid the meteors and asteroids that were constantly striking the planet. In some ways, their society is technologically more advanced than the Vuduri.

    Mosdurece: This is the Vuduri word for half-blood. A full-blooded Vuduri would have a diploid complement of the 24th chromosome. A mosdurece has a single pair. They have all the capabilities and characteristics of a full-blooded Vuduri however there is a social stigma attached to being only a half-blood.

    Onsiras: Living robots. When MASAL introduced the 24th chromosome which created the Vuduri, he also designed it so that eventually humans would be born with dark eyes and a brain that was more of an organic computer. The Onsiras have their own Overmind which was MASAL when he was still alive.

    Dramatis Personae

    Rei Bierak: An engineer and one of the frozen passengers aboard the Ark II, launched from Earth in 2067AD (original target: Tau Ceti). The Ark II went off course and was not discovered for nearly 1400 years. Rei was the first human awakened and responsible for eventually getting the Ark II to its original destination, Tau Ceti, now called Deucado by the Vuduri. Rei is a Caucasian male, a little over six feet tall with broad, swimmer's shoulders. He has boyish good looks and sandy brown hair, never properly combed, to go with his piercing blue eyes. He favors wearing brown shirts and khaki or brown pants.

    Rome: A half-blood (mosdurece) Vuduri woman from the 35th century who fell in love with Rei and eventually married him. Originally connected to the Overmind, she was cast out (Cesdiud) when she consorted with Rei. Rome is a stunning Vuduri female with olive-tinted skin and an athletic build, bordering on the spectacular. She is short, barely five feet tall, with shoulder-length brown hair, flecked with strands of gold. Her eyes are very dark and because she is Vuduri, they appear to glow even in the dimmest of light. She favors wearing a traditional Vuduri white jumpsuit.

    Aason Bierak: Rei and Rome’s two-year-old son. He is very precocious.

    MINIMCOM: Originally an autopilot computer that was fused into the airframe of a Vuduri space tug. Circumstances and experience caused him to become self-aware. Now a starship, MINIMCOM can fly as fast as 1000c.

    OMCOM: Originally a standard computer installed on Skyler Base within the Tabit System. Eventually he transferred his consciousness into a mass much larger than a planet.

    Fridone: Rome’s father, a 23-chromosome mandasurte (mind-deaf) oceanographic scientist. Rome calls him Beo which is the Vuduri word for father.

    Binoda: Rome’s mother, a full-blooded 24-chromosome Vuduri. Binoda is an animal husbandry expert. Rome calls her Mea which is the Vuduri word for mother.

    Pegus: Leader of the Vuduri contingent on the planet of Deucado.

    The Overmind: Group consciousness created by the mind-connected Vuduri.

    Maury Keller: Captain of the Ark II and de facto leader of the colonists from old Earth.

    Lee Ionelli: One of Captain Keller’s lieutenants.

    Trabunel: Leader of the Ibbrassati (the Oppressed) on the planet of Deucado.

    Bukky: Leader of the Deucadons, descendants of the Ark III which crash landed on Deucado 500 years before the story begins and lived underground for most of those years.

    Melloy: Bukky’s main lieutenant.

    Ursay: A Vuduri commander, currently living in retirement on Earth. Ursay was Rome’s original commander when she was deployed in the Tabit system.

    Hanry Ta Jihn: A legendary hero and martyr from the past, responsible for organizing the resistance that eventually defeated the Ark Lords, called Erklirte in Vuduri.

    Grus: A Vuduri soldier, present when Rei and Rome were banished from the Earth.

    MASAL: A supercomputer that designed the 24th chromosome which was responsible for the rise of the Vuduri. His plan was to engineer the humanity out of mankind. He was destroyed by Rei and Rome.

    Preface

    This story takes place two years after Rome’s Revolution

    Chapter 1

    Year 3457 AD (1376 PR)

    Second Planet (Deucado), Tau Ceti System

    (11.9 Light Years from Earth)

    Rome? Rei Bierak called out in a panic as he soon as he entered the house. Greasy, grayish smoke was billowing out of the kitchen. Not waiting for a reply, Rei activated the cell-phone in his head and shouted, Rome? as he sprinted toward the kitchen.

    "Help," was his wife’s terrified mental reply. It’s on fire.

    Rei burst into the kitchen and saw yellow flames flashing over the induction stovetop. Rome had a vase in her hands, full of water. She started throwing it toward the stove.

    NO! Rei yelled.

    He was too late. The water was already on its way. He leaped at Rome and knocked her and the vase to the floor as the stovetop exploded into flames. Rei scrambled to cover Rome’s body with his, protecting her face with his arms. Flaming globs of grease pelted his back and shoulders. After a few moments, Rei rolled off of Rome onto his back long enough to put out any embers smoldering on his clothes then rolled back toward her again. Rome’s eyes were wide open. Rei? she croaked. Her voice had the timbre of a person frightened out of their wits.

    Are you all right? he asked hoarsely. He ignored the minor conflagration around him.

    I think so, she whispered tearfully.

    That was all he needed to hear. Rei rolled over, got to his feet and surveyed the situation. The aerogel walls of the kitchen were not flammable. The rest of the mini-inferno would have to be dealt with later.

    Instinctively, Rei searched for the most mundane item in any kitchen: a fire extinguisher. Realizing this was a concept foreign to the Vuduri, his mind raced trying to come up with an alternative. Gotta stop the pan first, he muttered to himself, staring at the burning skillet on the stovetop.

    "MINIMCOM?" he asked inside his head, are you around?

    Yes, replied the starship that was once a computer. What do you need?

    "Send your livetar down here, quick," Rei said. We have a fire.

    With the typical whoosh and pop of the starship’s transporter, a two-meter tall figure appeared, dressed all in black, complete with cape. The head was bullet-shaped with only slits where the eyes and mouth would usually be. It was called a livetar and was simply a walking hollow shell, made up of VIRUS-based constructor units. It was controlled by MINIMCOM but without any intelligence or autonomous spirit. The livetar looked about and spotted the burning pan. It reached over its shoulders, grabbed its cape with both hands then flipped the cape over the skillet, smothering it and gathering it to its body. With another whoosh and pop, the livetar and the flaming pan were gone.

    It is in my cargo hold, MINIMCOM informed Rei mentally. I will take care of it. Do you need any other assistance? Another livetar?

    Rei thought back, I’ll let you know.

    Even as MINIMCOM was speaking, Rei ran to the sink, soaked a towel in water and used the towel to suffocate the remaining pockets of fire spread about the stove. The situation quickly went from life-threatening to merely unpleasant. Once things were under control, Rei turned his attention to his wife who had managed to scramble away from the stove and had her back against the wall.

    Are you sure you’re all right? he asked as he walked over to her. He helped her to stand.

    Rome held her arm out, palm up. I burned my hand, she said with a brave face, even though tears were running down her cheeks.

    Let me look, Rei said as he gently took her hand in his, examining her palm. He could see a red patch the exact size and shape of the pan’s handle but it didn’t look too bad. Rei guided her to the sink and ran cold water over the burn.

    Keep it under the cool water until it stops hurting, Rei said as he opened the back door to let some of the smoke out of the room.

    It took a little while but eventually Rome said, It’s OK now.

    Rei came over, shut the water off and led Rome out of the kitchen while it was clearing of smoke. He took her through the dining room into the living area. Rei noted as they passed that the dining table was set so carefully. There was also a centerpiece with local flowers. It was clear Rome had put a lot of thought into the arrangement. In the living area, Rei spoke to MINIMCOM again.

    "Everything is under control here." Rei thought in his head. Thanks, buddy.

    No problem, MINIMCOM replied. Always glad to help.

    Rei settled Rome onto the sofa then knelt on the floor so he could look up into her dark, glowing eyes. The eyes of all the Vuduri had a Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope built into their optics and the reflective tapetum of their retina served as the back mirror. Their eyes always appeared to glow even in the dimmest light.

    What happened? he asked, searching her face. What were you doing?

    I was trying to surprise you, Rome said plaintively. The bison herd has finally hit critical mass. They slaughtered their first bull and the meat was a gift from my mother. She brought me a package this afternoon. I was making you hamburgers. Rome looked down at her lap and shook her head.

    That is so sweet, Rei said. He got up and sat down next to her. Listen, he said, throwing water on a grease fire is the worst thing you can do. It literally causes the grease to explode.

    I saw, Rome said. She put her hands up to her eyes and started sobbing again.

    Rei gathered her in his arms and stroked her head. It’s OK, sweetheart, we’re OK, he said lovingly.

    No, it isn’t OK, Rome said between sobs. Sometimes, I feel like I don’t know how to do anything.

    Of course you do, Rei said in a comforting voice. Looking around and not seeing his son, Rei figured he could change the subject by asking, Where’s Aason?

    I sent him back with my mother, Rome answered. I wanted to be alone with you this evening. I wanted the meal to be special. But I ruined it.

    Don’t worry about it, Rei said, We’ll make hamburgers again.

    This made Rome cry out louder. Her sobs were heartfelt.

    What Romey? Rei asked tenderly. It’s all right.

    It isn’t, she said. You don’t understand. It is not all right.

    Rei eased her back so he could look deeply into her beautiful eyes. By any standard, Vuduri or otherwise, Rome was stunning. She had let her brown hair, flecked with gold, grow back to shoulder length. Her body had once again regained its spectacular form since the birth of their son Aason. Her tanned, olive-tinted skin was flawless, her lips full and alluring.

    What is it? Rei asked. Burning a few hamburgers wouldn’t get you this upset. Is there something else?

    Rome took a deep breath and let out a sigh, wiping at her tears. She looked at Rei and said, I am so ashamed. I don’t know how to tell you. Her lips quivered as if she was going to say something else but she did not.

    Just tell me, Rei said, prompting her. Did something happen?

    No, Rome said, that is the problem. It was why I wanted to talk to you. Alone. She wriggled free of Rei’s arms and stood up, with her back to her husband.

    Please, sweetheart. Just tell me.

    Rome turned back and looked at Rei, her face taut with anguish. "Rei, I’m bored. I’m just so bored."

    Rei snorted, trying to stifle a laugh. That’s it? That’s your big secret?

    He stood up and walked over to her. Before they launched in 2067, Rei had been just a shade under six feet tall. But after spending a full year in one-third gravity then two more years in the lower gravity of Deucado, he had actually grown an inch. His broad swimmer’s shoulders and his musculature always made him seem to tower over any of the Vuduri, especially Rome who was barely five feet tall. He gently placed his hands on Rome’s shoulders.

    Rome looked up at his handsome face with his boyish good looks and piercing blue eyes. His sandy brown hair, never properly combed, almost always amused her but was no source of comfort this particular evening.

    It is no secret, she said. I spend my days chasing around after our two-year old. I teach English to the mandasurte and occasionally, if I am very lucky, I find the rare Essessoni who wishes to learn the Vuduri language. Other than keeping our house clean and cooking our meals, I don’t have anything challenging to do.

    Rei reached down and took her non-burned hand. Romey, we killed a Stareater, you singlehandedly brought an Overmind to its knees, stopped a war and we vaporized an insane computer with a volcano. Don’t you think that anything following that is bound to be anti-climactic?

    Rome frowned and shook her head. You’re not listening to me. I’m not looking for excitement. With all the people flocking to this planet, there are so many issues. My mother is supervising the establishment of the bison herd on the threadgrass plains. My father is working with the Vuduri to build a huge fishing fleet. And your project…

    Broadloom? Rei offered.

    Yes, Broadloom, your project is going to feed thousands and thousands of people one day. All of you are involved in important tasks. I want to do something important as well beyond just being a veprocenda, a, a, home-maker.

    Rei nodded slowly, looking off to the side. Quite abruptly, he turned away and walked over to the window. He gazed across the bush-lined courtyard to the far side of the house. Their home had been one of the first built by the Essessoni after they arrived here on Deucado. The house was basically U-shaped with an in-law suite located around the far side. Before they left to move into their own home, Rome’s parents had built a solarium which Rome had since converted into a studio.

    What about your painting? Rei asked. He pointed to the solarium. I thought you loved that.

    Rome walked over to the window and looked out as well. I do, Rome said. The studio has fantastic northern light. But that is just my hobby. I am looking for something constructive; some way to contribute to the greater good. What you would call a real job.

    So what do you want to do?

    Rome took a deep breath and reached into her pocket. She pulled out a Vuduri data-cube which was a small black silicon block, roughly one inch on each side.

    What is that? Rei asked.

    It’s a data-cube, of course, Rome replied.

    I know that, Rei said, chuckling. I mean what’s on it?

    While we were on our year-long trip coming here from Tabit, I interviewed you about the history of your people and what came before the Great Dying. I developed a timeline, a, a historical database.

    Well, if it’s based upon what I told you, it’s pretty faulty. Rei made a wry expression. I didn’t pay much attention in history class. A lot of what I told you was based on movies I had seen.

    I knew that, Rome said. You never pretended otherwise.

    So what do you want to do with it?

    Rome furrowed her brow. I had an idea but I am having trouble formulating the words, so they make sense.

    Try, Rei said.

    I was thinking about interviewing other Essessoni to fill in the countless blanks remaining. I thought that if I gathered enough information, I might be able to complete the history of your people and the world before that. Rome stared down at the data-cube.

    Well, he said, if you are going to do that, I can save you a ton of time and make it way more accurate.

    Rome cocked her head. How?

    One of the people on my Ark, her name is Bonnie Mullen; she was in charge of the historical records. Her husband, Edgar, was the loadmaster for the Ark II. Each Ark carried a complete set of data slabs with a summary of everything my civilization knew about the sciences, history, the whole lot. I’ll ask her if you can borrow them. Rei pointed down to the data-cube. You can toss that one in the trash.

    Rome smiled. I wouldn’t do that but your idea is wonderful. Rome glanced off in the distance then turned back to Rei. How much data is involved? she asked.

    Rei looked up at the ceiling and did some quick math in his head. Given how much the slabs can store, you’re talking multiple peta-bytes.

    Hmm, Rome mused. To store that much data, I would need the equivalent of an OMCOM.

    So build an OMCOM, Rei replied, casually. I know you know how. You told me yourself.

    True. But I would need memron fabricators… Rome looked out the window again. I know! she said. MINIMCOM has memron fabricators. He would let me use them. I don’t know about the operating system, though. Whenever I have done this in the past, I have always had access to an initialization module. The computer in Vuduri City has no such basis.

    I bet you MINIMCOM could help you with that, too, Rei said.

    Yes, Rome answered. Where would I put it though? She looked around the room. To build an OMCOM requires a large amount of volume or surface area. Rome spread her arms as wide as she could to emphasize the point.

    I’m sure we can find you a suitable location. There’s plenty of room on this planet.

    If I create this, this data repository, I could make it accessible to all. I could make it available to others in English and Vuduri.

    Rei walked over to her and put one hand on her shoulder. He stooped down so he was eye-level with her. You do realize you are talking about creating a library.

    Yes! Rome said enthusiastically. A library! A library for the people of Deucado!

    Does that include all the people? Rei asked.

    Of course, Rome replied. What do you mean?

    Well, for example, the Deucadons. They’re kind of my people. They’ve been here for five hundred years and we know nothing about their history.

    You’re right! Rome said emphatically. If I’m going to build a true library of history, it should be about all the people who live here. Essessoni, Deucadons, Ibbrassati, even the mandasurte in general.

    What about the Vuduri? Rei asked. They live here, too. My people know next to nothing about yours. You carry all that around in your head, right?

    Rome tapped her temple. You would think so but I no longer have access. When I was in the Overmind, I suppose I could have memorized much of our people’s history but I did not feel the need to do so. Now that I am out, I only remember some. Not enough.

    Who does that sound like? Rei laughed.

    Rome lowered her head and looked at Rei through the top of her eyes. Do not equate the two. You had your chance. I never knew I needed to commit to memory such a volume of facts.

    Don’t worry about it, Rei said. He laughed again. He pondered the question for a moment. Ask the Overmind, Rei said finally. He’s your buddy. As he spoke the words, Rei’s expression changed from happy to a little sour. He knew the Overmind was in love with his wife. Not that an entity with no real body could ever act upon it but still it bothered him a little.

    Rome ignored his frown. She knew its origin and its irrelevance. Even that would not help, she continued, they never thought to bring any resource materials here.

    Where do they keep them? Rei asked.

    Earth, of course, Rome replied.

    Well, we’re both still banished from there, Rei said. That might be a problem.

    Rome snapped her fingers, a gesture that Rei had taught her. I know what to do, she said. I will ask Pegus to send somebody to Earth. The Overmind there should have no problem with providing me historical records. There is no harm in that. Even a normal OMCOM initialization module would have a basic outline of our history. It is common knowledge.

    Rei hugged his wife. This is great, Romey, he said. As mankind starts to spread out, we’re going to lose touch. This is probably our last chance to compile historical records for all humanity. I don’t know why nobody thought of it before.

    A library of human history! Rome said, beaming. That is what I will build.

    It sounds ambitious, Rei noted. "But if

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