*
Mid afternoon, two of the Flying Fortresses left for Terra, one in the lead and the second in a tow. Az had tried to explain how that worked but he didn’t fully understand the technology, just how it was used. The technology sounded like a type of tractor beam but more substantial and sturdy. The second ship was controlled from the computers of the lead ship.
Later that afternoon, another Flying Fortress left for Petislay. As they passed the Keulfyd communications satellite, Az and Kaz between them were going to turn off the ‘warn off’ and replace the message with one they and Sarah had worked out. It stated that there had been a war and the planet was under different management. All the People, mostly Ridianit, who had made contracts and ordered goods were dead, except for the Priskya. They were still present and were part of the new ruling coalition. Only their contracts would be honoured, but there might be a delay as communications and air traffic control had also been disrupted by the attacking force. The message concluded with directions to one spaceport only; the only one in use. This one.
Sarah watched, along with everyone else, as the Flying Fortress flew out of sight towards Petislay. “I wonder what they will find when they return,” she said softly.
“Us,” answered Alan. “With tea cooked.”
“Five months return trip, Az estimated for the ones going to Terra. About four for the ones going to Petislay. And we have to hold the planet.”
Alan shrugged. “Stay armed, be careful and hope no group has a flight mechanic.”
“We have prisoners, refugees, injured—and the power’s usually off.”
“You forgot the ‘no money’ bit.”
Sarah laughed. “But we have another planet. Another four if you count the Niseyen worlds. I think the human race’s survival chance has vastly increased. But if Helkmid is right about his conspiracy theories, it’s a worry. I wonder what the Niseyen did to piss the Keulfyd off.”
“Well, whatever if was, I think we just upped the ante.”
“Yeah, that’s the bit that worries me. Helkmid reckons we should get ready for the Keulfyd to attack us officially.”
“So is he leaving?”
“Not a chance, I gather. Hidden talents, that Okme. And his people, he says, really need this planet.”
“As do we,” Alan added softly as they looked at each other.
“As do we,” she agreed.
THE END (of this book)
(To be continued…)
Index of characters (originally 418 with 36 under 16)
Akira Yanagisawa, 44, Japanese, Diplomat and Architect, brother of Miyuki.
Alia Kashlin, twin of Ali, 10, Saudi Arabian, father Mohammed, Diplomat, Saudi Arabian Embassy, Wellington, NZ.
Ali Kashlin, twin of Alia, 10, Saudi Arabian.
Alan MacKellar, 68 retired business man, SETI.
Ali Nedri, 48, Indian, father of Mahmoud, Dr. of Philosophy
Anaminka (Minka) Kasinova, Russian, 68, Botanist,
Annie (Anne) Elizabeth Frankland, New Zealander, 71, ex Secondary School Teacher, language expert, SETI.
Anna Nilsen, 42, Swedish, Biologist, husband Steve, son Donny.
Bea, (Beatrice) De Jonge, 6, Dutch.
Bella Chieng, 32, Doctor of Veterinary Science, mother of Li.
Bert Ousey, 63, English, Medical Doctor, SETI
Con Palenski, 32, Australian, Journalist
Dan Johnson, 31, American, Engineer, SETI,
Dieter Maher, German, 6mths old, son of Simone.
Donny Nilsen, Swedish, 15, father Steve, mother Anna,
Harsha Nedri, Indian, 9, sister of Mahmoud.
Helene Dunmore, French 35, SETI, ex Lawyer, mother of Tasha
Ilse de Jonge, Dutch, 10.
Julia de Jonge, 45, Dutch, Psychologist.
Jolene Cipriano, 33, Christchurch Airport worker, New Zealander.
Karl de Jonge, 46, Anthropologist, Dutch.
Kelly Black, 43, American, Army Medical Doctor, Paediatrician, also ex Trauma Specialist. Mother of Stella.
Li Chieng, 15 Mainland Chinese, mother Professor Chieng, vet, father Tang Chieng, Diplomat, Chinese Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand.
Ludmilla Atanassova, Russian, 76, Scientist and Diplomat
Mahmoud Nedri, Indian, 15, Father Ali, Mother Rani, sisters Harsha 9, and Yogabala, 6.
Mathew, Western, 49, American. Businessman, Original leader of the expedition, son of a General.
Mayling Ng, 47, Malaysian, Dr. of Zoology.
Miyuki Yanagisawa, 38, Japanese, Diplomat, and Astronomer, sister of Akira.
Nanelle Dyson, 64, New Zealander, retired Accountant, SETI.
Nial Nowitz, 29, Australian, Forrester and Farmer,
Pieter Easton, 59, South African, Medical Technician and ex army Medic.
Rani Nedri, Indian, 43, Dr. of Horticulture, mother of Mahmoud, Yogabala and Harsha.
Sally Easton, 57, South African. General Nurse and ex army Medic.
Sarah MacDonald, Canadian, 45, ex Computer Programmer, Astronomer and Director of SETI.
Simone Maher, 29, German, Biologist, mother of Dieter.
Stella Black, 15, American, mother Kelly Black.
Steve Nilsen, 47, Swedish, Diplomat, Swedish Embassy, Wellington NZ.
Tang, Chieng, 51, Chinese, Diplomat, Chinese Embassy, NZ
Tasha Dunmore, 11, daughter of Helene
Tue Ng, 49, Malaysian. Technician and Computer genius.
Yogabala, (Bella) Nedri, Indian, 6, sister of Mahmoud.
ALIENS
The Okme, (those who own and run the Healing Machines)
Humanoid, 6-7 feet in height, skinny, no hair, grey.
Helkmid, leader of the Okme on Torroxell, doctor and medical researcher
The Priskya,
large fish, original owners of Torroxell
Resemble large dolphins but swim like sharks, grey or grey-blue, lighter underneath
Pikdaa spokesperson, senior
Siwijal leader, senior.
Traders/Slavers of the First Contact ship Plapofhto
Various Races on board, unknown
Edkajil, Linguist
Kisilodsak Military commander.
Paswalda, Captain, Trader/Slaver
Attacking Force.
Bidifix, mercenaries, cooking staff and quartermasters.
Keulfyd, Leaders of the Force, owners of the spaceships and majority race of the crew, majority of the doctors.
Opodskell, mercenaries and pilots, originally the same race as the Trydshell.
Relogs, mercenaries, sentries. Vaguely resemble very fat upright beetles.
Sasgys, mercenaries, majority of the medical staff.
Trydshell, mercenaries and pilots, originally the same race as the Opodskell.
Vubicik, mercenaries and support staff, mechanics etc
Yakkidimux. The majority race of the pilots, mercenaries, support staff, vaguely resemble a seven foot fat cockroach with four stubby legs and two stubby arms.
Keulfyd (on board the flagship)
Large, over 8 feet in height, four thick legs, two arms, resemble a walrus, vaguely, vary in weight from 200-500kg or larger.
Isjidakawi, Chief Medical Officer
Likasif, Science Officer.
Lijfomid, Commander of the Attacking Force. Chief planner
Slirtmif, First Officer.
Tyrid, the Captain.
Clets
Avian species, white, pink beaks, look a bit like giant cranes, 6-7 feet in height, large heads
Hoekfyd
Avian species, resemble Kea, (large green parrots), green, hooked beaks, large heads, height 5-6 feet.
Kepi
Cave dwellers, sort of resemble skinny brown bears, don’t wear clothes. Very low in the pecking order.
Zeobani
Grey, small, around 3-4 feet tall, amphibian, vaguely resemble an octopus, walk on four tentacles, don’t wear clothes, wear mesh belts with pockets.
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