avoiding an incident with the ambassador, I was introduced to the rest of the guests who included all the members of the cabinet and all the military chiefs. Who would have thought it… me meeting all those important people? It was like being in Downing Street, meeting Cameron and Clegg and all the bigwigs in the government.
I noticed a military officer standing motionless in the corner of the room like a garden gnome in his smart uniform, completely impervious as to what was going on around him. He was carrying a small briefcase.
“What is in the case?” I asked Kronos. “Important cabinet papers?”
“No,” Kronos replied, “it contains the launch codes for our forward missile bases. Only the Prime Minister can authorise their use.”
I thought to myself, what a lot of responsibility for just one man to bear. Anyway, after the obligatory drinks and nibbles and what seemed to be endless small talk, the balcony doors were opened on the Prime Minister’s orders and everyone began to make their way out onto the veranda. I was about to see daylight and Sontral’s Sun, the first new one since I had started my epic journey.
Just before I made it out, Kronos said, “Now don’t be overawed, John. The Solaran people only want to thank you for joining them in their struggle against the Kaytons.”
What a welcome and what a sight awaited me! The vast square in front of us was filled to capacity and the roar of the huge cheer that rang out was deafening.
The Prime Minister and Kronos waved to the eager crowd and I followed suit instinctively, not wanting to be the odd one out in all this frenzied activity. I could feel the bottom of my trousers vibrate as a fly-past of Solaran ships began. Huge Battle Carriers, Battle Cruisers as well as single-seat Fighters whizzed past in quick succession, all very impressive. Kronos explained to me most of the ships were on Sontral for battle damage repair and would soon be making their way back to the various battle fronts. Apparently the Battle Cruisers were the work horses, the fast, hard hitting backbone of the fleet, as well as providing escort duties for the huge Battle Carriers.
As the fly-past came to its inevitable end, the Prime Minister turned towards me and said, “John will you accompany me and Kronos to meet the people?”
“All right,” I replied in a hesitant voice.
We all left the balcony then, making our way down the stairs and out of the main doors. The Prime Minister and Kronos led the way over to the awaiting crowds who were situated behind a low-level barrier with their hands outstretched, eagerly waiting to shake their hands. I was tentatively following a little way behind them. However, I had no need to be apprehensive; they were so friendly, just wanting to shake my hand.
“Over here, John! Over here!” I kept hearing. I could barely keep up with the pace of events in this hectic environment. All the while, Commander Vadoran and his security staff were anxiously looking over our shoulders. It must have been a security nightmare for him and his staff. Something then happened that I will remember for the rest of my life.
An elderly woman grabbed my hand. “God bless you, John,” she said as all seemed to go quiet, at least in our immediate area of activity. “The ancient Kultarn prophecies predicted this,” she continued. “Listen, John, they read: Two Guardianships have been created. The two Guardianships will choose two Guardians. Those two Guardians will then come together as one and help prevent a terrible darkness from descending over the Galaxy. We know the war news is bad, John, but remember all the Solaran people are with you and Kronos, praying for the Kultarn miracle to come to pass.”
Her hand then released its grip from mine as she slipped back into the crowd, smiling all the time until she disappeared from view altogether. As more and more eager citizens took her place, all wanting to wish me well, I was just about ready to drop.
Commander Vadoran noticed my condition first and gestured to the Prime Minister and Kronos, whereupon all three of us slowly made our way back to the relative quiet of the Prime Minister’s residence as the crowd slowly went quiet, understanding our situation. The four of us retired to the Prime Minister’s private sitting room to recharge our batteries and discuss important pressing matters.
“Thank you, John,” the Prime Minister said. “The Solaran people really appreciate the effort you made today to meet and get to know them. It won’t be forgotten.”
“I try to be of service,” I replied, “and I am sorry about the incident with the Hellertron Ambassador; good job he has a sense of humour.”
“Don’t worry,” Kronos said, “it is all forgotten about now.”
“Yes, it was all a good morale boosting exercise,” barked Commander Vadoran in his usual straight forward manner, “but it is not going to change the course of the war—”
“Talking about the war,” I interrupted, “is there anything else you can do, Prime Minister, to slow down the Kaytons’ advance on Earth?”
“No, I am sorry, John,” the Prime Minister replied. “Our forces are fighting a rearguard action as we speak. If we commit any more forces the Kaytons will start to get suspicious and wonder why we are fighting so heavily to defend what, on the face of it, is an unimportant part of the front. The original plan stands. If all goes well with Chris and Alana, you and Kronos will make the attempt to break the Transdamping barrier in three days’ time, actually launching the assault on the Drone command bunker the following morning. We estimate that will be about twenty-four hours before the Kayton battle squadron reaches Earth.”
“Not much room for error is there, then?” I said in a very dejected tone.
“I’m afraid not, John,” the Prime Minister replied. “But you must understand we are all working under tremendous pressure.”
Kronos said, “There is one more service we would like to ask of you today.”
“I’m all yours,” I replied. “Just name it.”
“Well, of course, the Kaytons have themselves been searching in an effort to locate the second Guardianship; they are desperate to get hold of Kultarn technology to manipulate and use for their own ends. Even to the extent of launching deep penetration raids into Solaran and Hellertron territory, laying waste in the process many planets like Earth, sometimes only on the flimsiest of evidence. We have arranged, if you are agreeable, to meet the Kaytons in a neutral but secure location where the head of their scientific corps will conduct a verification check on your Guardianship. The confirmation process will not take long and by your actions you will have saved countless innocent lives.”
“You’re full of surprises,” I replied, “but when you put it like that, how can I refuse? When do we leave?”
“Well,” Kronos began, “how about now, John? Everything has been set up for us on the planet Marrilion in the Daygar system, right in the middle of no man’s land between the Solaran and Kayton battle lines. All we will have to do on arrival is wait for the Kaytons to turn up. Hopefully that shouldn’t be too long if they are travelling at maximum Translight speed.”
“Oh you don’t let the grass grow under your feet,” I replied. “You’re working me like a donkey; you are certainly getting your money’s worth out of me. Good job I’m not in the union, they would have me out on strike.”
The Prime Minister and Kronos smiled, but not Commander Vadoran who just stared at me in a disapproving manor, miserable old beggar. All four of us then rose to our feet as Kronos and I bade the Prime Minister and Commander Vadoran goodbye. We then both told our Guardianships our destination coordinates and before we knew it, we were on another world.
Nine
Emerging on the other side, I stood in amazement as I surveyed this strange new world I had been talked into travelling to. With ice-capped mountains in the distance and the edge of a huge forest a few hundred yards away, we were standing in a large clearing with a Solaran ship just a few yards away.
“It’s got two Suns,” I observed.
“Yes.” Kronos replied. “Binary systems are more common than you would think. Anyway, I promised you I would show you t
he Stars and I always keep my word.”
“You’re not kidding,” I said. “I’m seeing sights no one on Earth has ever seen or is ever likely to see.”
At that moment a group of Solaran crew members made their way over to us both. After the introductions, the Captain explained he had secured the immediate area, checking for anything out of the ordinary. Snipers had been placed at strategical points and the ships’ engines would be fired up and ready to go at a moment’s notice should the need arise.
Kronos thanked him for being so efficient in covering all the eventualities. Estimated time of arrival of the Kaytons was two hours. The captain said we could wait in his private quarters until then.
I asked Kronos if I could go for a short walk to take in my breathtaking surroundings. He did not mind so long as I didn’t stray too far away from the ship. They didn’t want to be sending out search parties to find me or, worse still, keep the Kaytons waiting after agreeing to his requests.
I was on my own, heading towards the tree line. All so idyllic and peaceful, you wouldn’t think we were in the middle of a war zone in no man’s land. It was such a beautiful place. I christened it New Canada. On reaching the tree line, I noticed some flowers of a deep red colour. They looked like a cross between a rose and an orchid and made me think of that famous