Chapter 20
Tomorrow came all too soon. At least Carl had experienced a very peaceful night, full of dreams without any nightmare episodes featuring the Befax 4 horrors.
After a good Shadow breakfast, with tea and coffee, he studied the layout of the Befax ship. George had prepared a detailed HUD presentation with every aspect of the ship on a main menu. Carl could call up any location or any system for detailed analysis. The most interesting item was the vast chamber devoted to the deep-sleep compartments. It was an easy task to run the records of the captured Befax ship and find out that the whole crew took to deep-sleep after only fourteen days out of the home planet of the Befax 4. The same was true of the approach to Water, the crew were slowly lifted from the deep-sleep state to be fully fit at fourteen days prior to entry to the Water atmosphere.
What was also interesting was that the kidnapped Waterians were placed in identical deep-sleep compartments as the Befax, total compatibility of life systems. Carl's idea was holding up, the people of Water could actually live perfectly on Befax, so why not move from Water to Befax!
The population number of Befax, the massive Hyena look-a-likes, was not as high as he had expected it to be. Only ten million of the beasts inhabited the whole planet of Befax 4. It is quite possible the Befax were getting short of food, they evidently were carrying out no tilling of the soil when the Yil landed those many years previously.
When they landed, the Yil were attacked with great ferocity but were, of course, totally protected from injury by their shields. They had to lift off to an altitude of fifty feet during their visit though, because the Befax were destroying themselves whilst carrying out their fruitless attack of the Yil. The Yil's stay at Befax was numbered in the weeks, there was no way to converse in an intelligent manner with the Befax. The Befax would communicate for a few moments before launching their ferocious attacks, they just killed anyone or anything in their path - for food, it would appear.
Carl finished off his study of the Befax 4 by having George analyse, and relay to him, the drive and weapon system of their ships. It was evident that their drive system was rather crude and unsophisticated, but powerful. With educated modification and the cleaning up of the power circuits, the system could be improved to provide an additional twenty percent of power with the same energy expenditure.
Weapon systems? There were none, no permanent weapons attached to the ships, only crude energy handguns, the ones that had been used on them during their boarding of the ship. Yet another area for improvement. Carl reckoned he was ready to put his idea to the Water Council.
The impact it had on the council was tremendous. It totally silenced them and he had to ask for their response after a couple of minutes of silence.
“But how can we live on Neft. We will be attacked all the time!” Was the opener from Olaf. More or less what Carl was expecting.
“The idea is that you go to war with the Befax and take over their planet.” He explained.” Would their planet be preferable to Water?”
“But it is twelve light years away.” Argued Rolf.” We would all be gibbering wrecks after more than twenty years in space.”
“Rolf,” Carl looked directly at him,” we have the plans of Befax deep-sleep compartments. So your first question is answered, you put your population into a twenty year sleep.”
“But what of the Neft?” Jank spoke up.” We could never fight those beasts, they are too powerful.”
“You could have hand guns for personal use, plus turreted weapons on the ships, using the same principles as our handguns.” He explained.
That brought a better response. Olaf and his team were now describing how they had seen their guns cut through the Befax hull like a hot knife through butter.
“You will also have the Befax ships, to copy their drive motors,” Carl butted in,” we would provide modifications you could embody to enable you to outmanoeuvre the Befax when you eventually meet.”
“This is a very interesting proposition you are putting forward,” Olaf responded,” I think we have agreed on the basic idea as our way out of this tunnel existence. What we will do is put it to a general vote, the whole population, if their response is a big yes, we will go for it.”
“I will organise the vote immediately,” said one of the council,” perhaps you could help me with the details?” Looking at the two Earthmen.
“No problem.” Said Pat.” Let's get to it now.” With that he stood up, Carl followed, and they moved to a separate table to discuss the plan in detail.
The voting proposition was in all sections of the tunnel system within the hour. The vote was carried out by the entire population using their own registration Pin Number and pressing a 'Yes' or 'No' button. It was evident that there were many terminals in the system because the vote numbers began climbing at an alarming rate. Nosam, their other Council friend, informed them that each household had its own terminal in their living quarters, so the vote was obviously causing a bit of a traffic jam, with everyone leaving work and going home to vote.
With only half the number of votes in, and the numbers were screaming up the scale, the result was in no doubt, so far a 99.6% 'Yes'. It was go!
The Council received a big surprise, before any major planning could be started. There arrived a group of Waterian woman who demanded a stake in the project. Water was a community where only men made the decisions and the women did exactly as their men folk told them. Now was the very moment that the whole of the male chauvinistic system was to be turned upside down.
The women were not to be refused entry to this men-only Council Chamber. They fought their way in, knocking half a dozen of the Council Ministers flying. When the turmoil had calmed down, and the men had regained their composure, the women had their say. Their proposals were politely listened to, not discussed, and summarily dismissed. Uproar broke out again but the women were overpowered by the arrival of security guards. The women were forcefully on their way out, under the smug smiles of the Council.
“Just one bloody minute.” Pat was on his feet.” You throw those women out and our deal to help you is off, permanently.”
“I second that statement.” Carl added.” Where we come from, the women are quite able to match the men folk blow for blow. In politics they are sometimes better than the men. You will allow these women to enter the Council and all your other women to help in the Befax 4 project. If not, we leave.”
“But women are no good at fighting, especially against an adversary like the Neft.” Said Olaf.
“How would you know.” Pat objected.” Have you ever given them the chance?”
“Of course not, but it is obvious, they are only good for the house and minding the children.” Jank said that, and one of the women was nearly across the table at him before the guards were able to grab her. Jank, however, was already on his back, on the floor.
“I think you've just thrown out the suggestion that women can't fight, you're on your back and she didn't even touch you.” Pat laughed.
There was a moments pause and then, as one, everyone in the room burst out laughing. It looked as if the women had made their own substantial progress.
“Let's hear more on what the women want.” Said Carl, and that was agreed.
The women then proceeded to detail all their plans that had been built up over years of secret meetings. It was obvious that the Women's Clubs, around the tunnels, were the main planning places, all interconnected by closed circuit T.V., so allowing all the clubs to discuss the subjects as a whole and not as separate splinter groups. They were far more democratic and organised than the men, that was blatantly obvious. Their suggestions included their more adventurous ladies joining in with the armed conflict against the Befax. Carl was all for it, the more that were involved the higher the chances of success.
The discussions carried on through two meal periods, but in the end there was a firm agreement to permit equal men and women entry to the Council, which happened there and then. It was
the head woman, Ness, who reminded everyone that the next Neft manned ship was only a matter of fourteen days behind the one that had just been captured. She wanted immediate action to go after that one, in the hope that the Neft were still in deep-sleep. God, thought Carl, I hadn't given that a thought.
“What do you say Pat, Carl, do we go after that one as soon as possible?” Asked Rolf.
“It had better be straight away, we may catch them asleep.” Pat said.
“You're right Pat, Rolf,” Carl said turning,” can you get another crew ready and we'll go as soon as is possible.”
“We are here,” it was two of the ladies,” us and two of these guards, arm us and we are ready.”
“Ok by us,” said the Guard Commander,” I will go with Sergeant Mull here.” He said putting his hand on the Sergeant's shoulder.
They looked a fine crew.
“George, ready?” Asked Carl.
“Of course, and you will not have to cut your way in. I have the computer programme for airlock cycling. I will command as soon as we arrive.”
With that they all stood up and moved out, it was evident that the Waterians took the sudden decision to mean they were under way. This was a surprise development and one that had caught Carl short.
“How are you, beer wise?” He asked, glancing across at Pat.
“I'll have one when we get to Shadow.” Said Pat.
“I didn't mean that you plank. Are you clear headed?”
“I wasn't a couple of minutes ago but it's getting that way all of a sudden. That you George?” He asked.
“Me and your shield,” George answered,” I just input the requirement to your shield. You will be one hundred percent normal in a couple of minutes.”
“What a waste of good beer.” Moaned Pat.
The news had passed around that there was another Neft mission on, and the lift was crowded with well wishers who were more excited than Carl or Pat. Carl certainly didn't relish another Befax slaughter, as horrific as they were, he still didn't like the idea of wiping them out.
Shadow was her calm self, as usual. The trip in the lift had been used to give the volunteer guards and women a run-down on what they would be doing. The women were now armed and in security-guard protective clothing, it transformed them from the housewife image to the fighters they now looked. It was a definite improvement.
The Council were obviously impressed by the look of the women. The security clothing fitted very snugly, in all the right places, and they looked every inch fighters, a first step for these two ladies but a big step for the women of Water. ‘Where have I heard something like that before?’ Thought Carl.
The plan was the same as before, except they would use the standard airlock entrance, which would be under the total control of George. He also assured them that the radio would be out of commission, by computer disablement and also irradiation. A double security procedure.
They were all aboard Shadow and ready for the off.
“Same procedure as before Carl?” Pat looked around.” Only no ENT work this time.”
“Not if I can bloody help it,” Carl replied,” there's no way I'm diving down a Befax throat again.”
Pat turned to Rolf, the security crew, and the ladies.” You all know you must stay on Shadow,” he said,” you do not have the benefit of personal shields and it's pointless you getting shot up when we can carry out this operation in relative safety.”
Carl couldn’t help thinking of the pain he had undergone from the Befax power beams
“Yes, we readily agree to that,” said the Guard Commander,” our time will come, when we are better prepared.”
He was right, Carl thought that from this moment on, the running of the Waterian life would receive a positive kick up the butt. It would get out of its 'Council' attitude and get down to solid building.
“Ready Pat?” Carl asked.
“Yep.” He replied.” Be prepared,” he said, turning to the Waterians,” it's going to be instantaneous again. On my zero George. Two-one-zero.”
They were instantly watching the Neft ship's main airlock cycle open. Evidently there were no alarms sounding, at least that was one bonus. They leapt across the space with the airlock instantly beginning to close behind them. Carl could feel and smell the increase to the normal pressure.
“Keep you fingers crossed.” He said.
“Not likely, might shoot me balls off.” Pat laughed.
The inner door cycled open and the mice screamed out ahead of them, in all directions. All the doors were open in the corridors to their left and right. The ship was silent, apart from the gentle hum of the air conditioning. It must condition the smell that is obviously ever present in all Befax ships, this one smelled the same as the last one, that raw animal cave-type smell. Musk is the word Carl was searching for, but not the deodorant!
“All the Befax are in deep-sleep.” Was the welcome message from George.” Shall I allow the Waterians access?” he asked.
“Yes George,” Carl confirmed,” let them in.”
They were in a stance of attack when the airlock outer door cycled open. George had shielded a tube to connect Shadow with the Befax ship, they jumped across the gap.
“What happened?” Asked Rolf.
“Nothing. They are in deep-sleep.” Carl advised him.” George will be with you, and is in complete control of the ship, so you will have to decide yourself what you intend to do about the crew. I fancy having a look around this ship, what say you Pat?”
“Good idea,” he said,” as long as we don't bump into a missed Befax, George?”
“Not a chance Pat, the coast is clear.” He confirmed.
“Ok, let's take a wander.” Said Carl, and turned towards the control room to leave the Waterians to their own devices.
The corridors were on the very large size, as can be appreciated by the size of the Befax. The ship was, what could only be termed, a tip. There was dirt and muck all over the place. Carl also pretty sure he saw traces of animal dung here and there, the Befax were pure animals with intelligence.
They looked into a few rooms, which were virtually empty. Most had a circular pad in one corner with rubble scattered over the floor, and on the few shelves there were around the walls. Each room had a computer access terminal, so they could only guess that these must be 'living' quarters.
The control room was a little more on the clean side, but only a touch. There was still muck lying around and it was possible to see the well walked ways by their lack of rubbish.
The control panel was alive and there were various displays on huge screens each side of the enormous windscreen, which was looking in the direction of travel. Hardly be looking back or to the side, would it?
Carl was going to try one of the large seats, queer arrangement, obviously to suit a four-legged animal. On second thoughts he decided not to try the seat, remembering what had been sitting on it.
“You're sure they've got no ship-borne weapons George?” Carl enquired.
“Absolutely certain, you have seen the plans of the ship. They were obviously expecting no opposition. As you know, they have a perfect anti-detection screen, so they could get right up to the Waterian platform, if needs be, and no-one would know they were there.” George stated.
“Unless someone walked into 'em.” Pat said.
“Unless that.” Said George.
They left the control room and took a service tunnel to the Drive Room. It was literally crammed full with massive coils. The room measured thirty-by-thirty by twenty metres in size with the power units practically filling the whole area. How on earth were the Waterians going to manufacture copies of these for their ships?
“Not much to see here, is there?” Asked Pat.
“Not a lot.” Carl agreed.” How are they going to build these in the tunnels?” He asked.
“Don't have to do it in tunnels.” Said Pat.” They can build them aboard their cocooned ships.”
Bloody good idea, but it was still goi
ng to be a mammoth task, still, that was their problem. Carl thought that they could always call back every now and again, to see how progress was being made, after all, it took over fifteen years to get from Befax to Water. No real hurry he supposed.
They found their wandering had brought them back to the airlock. Rolf was there by himself, looking very relaxed. In fact he was asleep, bloody cheek. Still he was over 50!
After being rudely woken by Pat, with the toe of his shoe, Rolf jumped up.
“Do forgive me, I feel a great weariness coming over me, I think it is a combination of the actions, the food and the beer.” He explained.” You both seem to weather very well.”
Of course, he had not the advantage of a friendly and sympathetic shield to look after him. No wonder he was a bit knocked out.
“The security guards and the lady fighters have agreed on a routine,” Rolf continued,” and George is supplying the required computer controls. We can return to Water if you are ready?”
“Right, straight away.” Said Carl, he couldn't leave soon enough.
“Let's get Shadow on the move,” Pat said, strolling aboard,” that was a much more acceptable boarding than the last Befax experience.”
“You're not wrong there,” agreed Carl,” we'll have to approach the platform carefully, in case there are any people on the top.” Speaking the obvious really.
They must have caused a stir, stopping only one mile from the platform and then winging in at very high speed. They saw people begin to scatter, but they were already slowing to a crawl for the last hundred metres.
Rolf was all ready for the off. He jumped down into the arms of a crowd who immediately pumped him with questions. Both Carl and Pat received the same treatment and were virtually carried to the lift, it was all getting a bit too much.
“Hey, this is great.” Pat was of the other thought, he was lapping it up.
The reception celebrations, if you could call them that, lasted only until they arrived, once again, at the council room. There was a large contingent of men and women seated at a re-arranged debating table.
“Welcome back Pat and Carl,” greeted Jank,” we have been having a continual dialogue since you left with Rolf and would like to update you - and more specifically Rolf - on the developments.”
“I hope not too many far reaching decisions have been made in my absence.” Was Rolf's stern reply.
“I'm sure you will welcome what we have.” Was Jank's confident assertion.
That broke a pretty cold moment and the Shadow crew took their, obviously privileged, position next to Rolf, at the head of the table. It was now nearly twenty metres by ten in size.
“Shall I continue?” asked Jank.” You can signify at any time if you require me to stop.”
““Yes, carry on, but not before we have some refreshment.” Turning to us.” You agree?”
“Best decision all day.” Pat agreed immediately.
Large glasses of their very decent beer arrived and Jank began on their talks of the last couple of hours. The food arrived shortly afterwards, it was all very positive so far.
There had been formed four working committees to co-ordinate the fighting forces to-be, the ship re-commissioning, the modifications, and finally, the construction of deep sleep tanks and the weapons. All very logical but encouraging that it had all happened without any prompting from the Earthlings, which had been the way of things up till now.
The women, it would appear, were at the head of all the suggestions and were particularly eager to get started as soon as possible. To put it in their words,” We are fed up living like underground animals and would rather be killed in battle than face this life for the ever foreseeable future.”
Carl could see their point of view and agreed with them wholeheartedly. They were a very 'white-faced' solemn lot, on the whole. Now though, they had fire and an object to their lives and it looked as if it was not to be put to one side.
One of Carl's questions was answered during the dialogue provided by Jank. They were going to commit the rock carrying ship to the scrap yard, to use a recognisable term, and use the metal and cable circuits, etc, to build the deep-sleep tanks and the weapon cases, now there was a good idea. Carl had been wondering where the vast amounts of metal were going to come from. The power plant from the decommissioned ship and its cargo hold, initially, would be used for the smelting of metal and the workshops. The workshop would eventually turn into a work-platform as the ship was reduced to scrap metal around them. All was certainly moving at the right pace.
The fighting forces were being assembled right this very minute. Similar to the voting process, a bulletin had appeared on every vision screen, overlaying everything else on display, asking for volunteers, male and female, from the age of eighteen years and upwards. The response had been over the top, practically every person had put their name forward. This was a bonus, now the prime fighters could be hand-picked, with those not accepted as being the link-pins for the fighters to being put to work converting the power-drive units, and manufacture the hand guns and the ship-borne weapons. Perhaps these positions were more important than the fighters; which came first, the chicken or the egg? Both were of equal importance, Rolf pointed that out, and it was agreed to push this point, he said that they wanted no despondent people who would have to be 'forced' into the manufacturing process.
Carl suggested that they set up another committee, the Feedback Unit, to publish a newsletter every week, telling everyone about the progress and the priorities. He pointed out that this could also be used as a competitive element of the programme. This was very well received and a hand went up immediately, another volunteer and another lady, to be the editor and publisher of the newsletter. Great!
The building of the deep-sleep tanks was the main problem the Waterians were stuck on, as were the modifications or rebuild of their own power units and those of the Befax ships. George provided Carl with the answer, he could place all the relevant information into the Waterian's Computers and also the design of the hand guns and larger ship borne weapon systems.
Carl relayed this to the Council, and as one man and woman, they all relaxed back into their seats, followed by laughter as they all saw what their collective reaction had been. Feelings were running very high and it was possible to see that it was going to be a wonderful time for the Waterians.
“You're also going to need the ship shield the Befax use.” Pat pointed out. It was the first time he had chipped in.” And George tells me you will have those plans, from the Befax computers, as well. Not only that but George has translated the entire computer library held on the Befax ships. They were both identical. You will know every secret of the Befax, from their navigation and fighting tactics to their hospital and welfare systems, which George says are very nearly none existent,” Pat continued,” evidently if they fall ill, they are lucky if they survive, they either die of their illness or are killed off by their family, for food. The Befax are a race of animals that need to be cleared from the universe, as far as I'm concerned anyway.”
A very long speech from Pat, but it held the Waterians and was what they needed to nudge them ahead even more. It was obvious from their response that it had that effect.
“Although we know the Neft are over twelve light years away,” Rolf pointed out,” we must push ahead with all these projects as quickly as possible. Who knows what projects the Neft are carrying out now? They may be near to light drive!”
“Why don't you go and have a look?” Carl suggested.
That brought a stunned silence.
“Do you mean go to Neft and see what progress they are making on new drive systems?” Asked Olaf.
“Exactly that,” he stated,” we have the transport so why not take the opportunity to carry out a once-only spy mission?”
“Do you know what you're committing us to?” Pat murmured, out of the side of his mouth.
“I'm sure we'll be ok, it's just the Waterians who will be taking the risks.”
Carl whispered back.
The Council was in uproar, once again, but after about five minutes there seemed to have been an agreement.
“We are agreed that we should take this one opportunity,” Rolf evidently spoke for everyone,” if we could carry out this mission, it would assist our planning no end.”
“So, organise a small group of your best and we'll take a look at Befax.” Said Carl.” One extra detail. We will take enough of your crew to awaken all your kidnapped friends on the outward journey and then begin collecting them on the way back.”
Looks of surprise came upon the faces of the Council and that was shortly followed by screaming and jumping about as everyone realised they would see their friends and, in some cases, family, returned to the temporary home planet of Water.
There would have to be a fair amount of planning ahead, so Carl suggested to Pat that they leave to let them get on with it.
“Can't wait to go.” He said.
“Rolf,” Carl called,” we are returning to Shadow. You need to work out how many ships have visited Water and select three or four people to man each ship to carry out the wake-up procedures. We also need to put a couple on all the Befax ships on their way here. Think about it, it's going to be a logistical nightmare.”
From his thoughtful look, he could see Rolf appreciated the problems ahead.
Pat and Carl left, too much backslapping and hand shaking, and returned to the tranquillity of Shadow. Some quiet music would go down a treat. All three of them arrived and flopped down into the lounge seats. All three? Of course, Pat had 'someone' in tow!
“George, the door is closed for business until further notice.” Said Carl.
“You have it.” Was his reply.