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Authors: Stephen Arseneault
Tags: Sci Fi & Fantasy
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their atmosphere. The Targs, even with their science and a relatively normal level of intellect, have failed to reach that level of advanced science and civilization. They seem to be stuck in a war that has gone on for a thousand years."
I replied, "We watched your ships descend on the Targs and gamble over their little war they just had. Your ships were right above the battlefield."
The captain sighed. "Our ships could not be seen from below, Mr. Grange. Our people enjoy sport. Sometimes that sport takes on an ugly side, such as what you were witness to. But, that war, that slaughter if you will, was not of our doing. That is a system the Targ have put in place in order to deal with their own prejudices and other societal problems. We don't know how it started, Mr. Grange. We only observe the results. There are some Gonta who would prefer that wagers of that sort not be allowed. Our freedoms, however, would only be compromised by applying those limits and restrictions."
As I walked with the captain, I spoke. "So, gambling is a large part of the Gonta culture, and the Targs are fighting amongst themselves without having any outside interference? What are you expecting from the Targs once we hit that planet surface?"
The captain replied, "They will attack. Just as you would attack any invader of your world."
I shook my head. "That is not true. As Humans, we try to first reason with others. If they show themselves to be hostile, then of course we will defend."
The captain stopped. "Mr. Grange. The Gonta have relations with many species. Some we have been at war with, while others were peaceful. But, they are all ruled by politicians, and most have a military leadership who want to shoot first and ask questions later. If Humans do not act in this manner, you are somewhat unique amongst the stars."
I thought and then replied, "No, you are probably right, Captain. We have those who would pull the trigger before ever asking who they were or why they were there. Those are probably universal traits. I would have to assume, though, that your weapons are superior to the Targs’. You will be able to defend yourselves, am I right?"
The captain continued to walk. "Our weapons are sufficient. What I worry about is the determination of the Targ. Our psych profiles of their species have outlined a high likelihood of a decidedly hostile encounter with the Targs; they will not come to us with smiles on their faces. Prepare your people for the trip below, Mr. Grange. We will not be returning you to your ship."
We turned the corner into the shuttle bay. Frost, York, and Goddard were waiting.
Frost spoke. "What's going on, Mr. Grange? They are all running around like we don't exist. What has happened?"
I replied, "The system infection is not Durian, it's Colossun. And I bet the source is right there on the Grid in Dr. Touchstone's lab. Duke Ferdete is messing with us on a grand scale!"
I brought up my arm pad and spoke. "Captain, this is Grange. Prepare a shuttle to send down to the surface to pick us up. We will be riding down there with the Gontas."
The Captain replied, "Mr. Grange. Just after your departure, the isolated junction turned itself back on. The core has been taken over, Captain. Along with that, the manual nav controls are no longer responding."
I turned to the Gonta captain. "Looks like our ship is down too. We might be joining you on the surface. Do you think we can get along down there without shooting at each other?"
The captain replied, "We will not have time to shoot at each other, Mr. Grange. There are billions of Targ down there. They will be united in their quest to rid their planet of invaders. We have one hundred seventy-nine crew on the Jaarke . Two of our five shuttles are already out of commission. If your people can fly, Mr. Grange, I would advise that you begin transport to the surface immediately."
I hesitated as I called back to the Granger . "... Captain, how is life support?"
The Captain
I replied, "We watched your ships descend on the Targs and gamble over their little war they just had. Your ships were right above the battlefield."
The captain sighed. "Our ships could not be seen from below, Mr. Grange. Our people enjoy sport. Sometimes that sport takes on an ugly side, such as what you were witness to. But, that war, that slaughter if you will, was not of our doing. That is a system the Targ have put in place in order to deal with their own prejudices and other societal problems. We don't know how it started, Mr. Grange. We only observe the results. There are some Gonta who would prefer that wagers of that sort not be allowed. Our freedoms, however, would only be compromised by applying those limits and restrictions."
As I walked with the captain, I spoke. "So, gambling is a large part of the Gonta culture, and the Targs are fighting amongst themselves without having any outside interference? What are you expecting from the Targs once we hit that planet surface?"
The captain replied, "They will attack. Just as you would attack any invader of your world."
I shook my head. "That is not true. As Humans, we try to first reason with others. If they show themselves to be hostile, then of course we will defend."
The captain stopped. "Mr. Grange. The Gonta have relations with many species. Some we have been at war with, while others were peaceful. But, they are all ruled by politicians, and most have a military leadership who want to shoot first and ask questions later. If Humans do not act in this manner, you are somewhat unique amongst the stars."
I thought and then replied, "No, you are probably right, Captain. We have those who would pull the trigger before ever asking who they were or why they were there. Those are probably universal traits. I would have to assume, though, that your weapons are superior to the Targs’. You will be able to defend yourselves, am I right?"
The captain continued to walk. "Our weapons are sufficient. What I worry about is the determination of the Targ. Our psych profiles of their species have outlined a high likelihood of a decidedly hostile encounter with the Targs; they will not come to us with smiles on their faces. Prepare your people for the trip below, Mr. Grange. We will not be returning you to your ship."
We turned the corner into the shuttle bay. Frost, York, and Goddard were waiting.
Frost spoke. "What's going on, Mr. Grange? They are all running around like we don't exist. What has happened?"
I replied, "The system infection is not Durian, it's Colossun. And I bet the source is right there on the Grid in Dr. Touchstone's lab. Duke Ferdete is messing with us on a grand scale!"
I brought up my arm pad and spoke. "Captain, this is Grange. Prepare a shuttle to send down to the surface to pick us up. We will be riding down there with the Gontas."
The Captain replied, "Mr. Grange. Just after your departure, the isolated junction turned itself back on. The core has been taken over, Captain. Along with that, the manual nav controls are no longer responding."
I turned to the Gonta captain. "Looks like our ship is down too. We might be joining you on the surface. Do you think we can get along down there without shooting at each other?"
The captain replied, "We will not have time to shoot at each other, Mr. Grange. There are billions of Targ down there. They will be united in their quest to rid their planet of invaders. We have one hundred seventy-nine crew on the Jaarke . Two of our five shuttles are already out of commission. If your people can fly, Mr. Grange, I would advise that you begin transport to the surface immediately."
I hesitated as I called back to the Granger . "... Captain, how is life support?"
The Captain
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