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  “This is unique,” Dickson said sitting back in his chair. His face displayed the puzzlement his mind was going through. “If this is the case, what is forcing these people to arm themselves and develop these weapon systems?” he asked.

  "I may have the answer to that captain,” Hadaie said. “We have been studying forms of communications on the planet. There are many discrepancies in the means of communication. For example, the telephone is at the level of the early 20th century. Most homes do not have one. Yet, there are government owned radio and television stations throughout the populated areas. People are still using a form of wire telegraph and radiotelegraph," he said. Then he changed expressions. "But we have noticed one interesting development. All communications with these television and radio stations are sent to a single processing point. It appears that the signals are sent first to Levid's ship, and then a revised copy is returned and then distributed to the other stations. There are separate signals for both Oreupe and Naceriam. Communications in the southern hemisphere are almost nonexistent," he said.

  This got Dickson's immediate attention. "So Levid is controlling information."

  Hadaie nodded. "It appears that way. They are using a form of news communication similar to the old Earth wire services. This information is also sent up to Levid's ship. The communications points are displayed here," he said pointing to his communications pad, which detailed all the communications points in red. With a simple command, the same picture was displayed on the main monitor.

  Tosh now spoke up. "Some of my people have been telling me about things that have occurred on the news in the past 24 hours which, from what we can tell, never happened," she said.

  "In general, we can tell that Levid has been doing some major manipulation from his end," Thompson added. "He has concentrated on upgrading weapons, electronics, communications, heavy industry and nuclear physics, while leaving out medicine, creature comforts, agriculture, mass transportation, and other support systems."

  "I have calculated what will happen if this planet goes into a global conflict,” Hadaie said. He punched in another set of commands and a picture of the northern hemisphere appeared on the screen. "The mass transportation systems will break down, communications will be hindered and people will begin to starve within one month," he said. As he spoke, various colors began to appear along the surface of the planet and spread from place to place. They got darker along a time line showing on the upper portion of the screen. "Since medical progress has not kept pace, both sides can expect casualties in the millions in the first year. Mr. Levid has set up a system which will indeed annihilate itself."

  Dickson watched the graphics in silence. The results were appalling. "The impact of what you are all saying is staggering to say the least," he said finally with somewhat of a sigh.

  "That's not all," Thompson added. "According to initial estimates, if this planet goes into a global war, it will use up its oxygen supply within three years. Pollutants will begin killing all plant life long before that. At one year, most people will begin finding it difficult to breathe."

  "Incredible!" Dickson said aloud.

  "Much of this is due to the planet's thinner atmosphere,” Hadaie said. "At present levels, there is enough atmosphere to handle and filter the hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide levels. There is also enough plant life to resupply the oxygen. But if the planet goes to a full scale conflict, there is not enough atmosphere to maintain it."

  Pike spoke up. "Now the next question is what can we do about it?"

  "That's the worst part," Thompson said. "We are not allowed to interfere with the planet's evolution, but there is nothing that allows us to stop Levid either," he said.

  "What do you mean," Tosh said incredulously.

  "We are the first Earth ship here in 100 years. There is no interstellar law here. We don’t even know what other worlds are out here and how they may react. We use force and he could claim we have no justification for our actions. Other worlds would look at us as the interfering faction. We would have to wait for him to carry out his threats to be justified in bringing him to justice, but that wouldn't do these people any good. What's more, if we push him out, he can move to another planet and start all over again. He can say that he is simply providing much needed technology to a sister planet. Since none of the planets in this sector are members of the Alliance, he is bound by none of our laws."

  Dickson agreed. "There is one more thing. He can't be doing this alone. There have to be highly placed people on the planet doing his work for him and controlling the outcomes. He can very easily back out and say it was those people who really did it all and that he was simply observing and giving humanitarian assistance as needed. Without a lot of documented evidence, he could get away with it. Can we determine who he is working with?"

  Thompson thought for a moment. "We can monitor communications over a period of time and find out."

  "That's one step. What else can we do?" Dickson asked.

  "What about what he told us during dinner about his own planet," Tosh asked. "He said it had taken him six years just to get here."

  Pike immediately picked up on her idea. "With his engine technology, that would put him only about 5 light years from here."

  "But he may not have come on a straight course," Thompson argued.

  "True, but that still narrows the playing field," said Dickson.

  Hadaie spoke up. "If I recall, there is a planet, Tetan 4, within 5 light years which was at the very beginnings of space travel. They were one of the planets visited by the Yorktown."

  Dickson saw an opening. "Interesting. I know Levid has violated none of our laws, but has he violated any from his own world?"

  The idea interested Thompson. "Might pay to do a preliminary visit and find out."

  “Indeed. How many teams do we have on the planet's surface?"

  "Twelve, sir. They are under instruction not to make contact with local inhabitants, just take readings."

  "Show me where they are," Dickson said.

  Hadaie punched in the commands and the away team positions appeared overlaid on the others. One of the teams was very near one of the communications sites. It was immediately noticed by the others in the room.

  "What is that team doing in there?" the captain asked hurriedly.

  "They are gathering data on environmental systems, sir,” Hadaie reported. "We did not know about that communications station until 30 minutes ago during one of their broadcasts."

  Dickson looked at Thompson with concern. "Get them out of there, Number One. With Levid's state of mind, you never can tell what he would do if he caught them."

  "Right away sir."

  Mike and Jo had walked deeper into the wooded area than they realized. But as they had walked, Mike had noticed trails and tracks, indicating life of some sort. He was using the sensor pack now to figure a way back to the shuttle when he noticed something strange in the surrounding area.

  "Hey, Jo. I’ve found something, look at this," he called.

  Jo was a few yards off looking at a small insect nest in a tree branch when he called. She walked at her own pace towards him. Mike was still scanning the area intently.

  "What another caterpillar?" she asked smiling. Over the last hour she had found they had many interests in common. But this time she noticed a different look on his face. Something wasn't right.

  "No. Look. These trees are not real," he said, holding up his sensor pack for her to see.

  Jo looked at the readings and saw what concerned him immediately.

  "They are made up of some polystyrene type material with a metal core. Very lifelike," she said.

  Mike began moving the sensor pack around him. "Hold on," he said, checking his readings again and pointing ahead. "There are a number of them up ahead, linked together by some sort of grid spaced through the trees. We can't see it from the air or ground. It is about 60 meters in diameter."

  This was something that definitely didn't belong. Jo remembered
something from her ancient history about such large arrays. She couldn't remember everything, but it wasn't good.

  "Mike, let's go. I don't like this."

  Mike looked at his new friend and saw the fear in her face. "Me either. Come on," he said, taking her hand they began to almost run from the area. He saw a path running through the trees like the one they had come in on. He headed straight for it. Just inside the brush a net seemed to suddenly envelope them from the ground. Almost instantly they were hopelessly trapped.

  "We've lost two of them," Thompson reported somberly to the captain. The shuttle team leader had combed the area. He had found one sensor pack and disturbances in the dirt, but nothing more. Even a quick flyover by the shuttle had produced nothing except the large array antenna concealed in the growth. Even the Lexington could find nothing.

  Dickson looked at his first officer and sat back in his chair. "Our worst fears are coming true," he said sullenly. "Who?"

  "Two students. Jo Ramey and Mike Wilkes."

  Dickson's eyes widened. "Oh no. These were the two that the University was calling me about. Where were they?"

  "Near the transmitter site. They had called in as scheduled, but when the warning was put out, they didn't respond. I'm doing a sensor sweep, but we have not been able to pick them up."

  "If I know Levid, they are far away by now. This means we must get moving on our other plans. Are you ready to go?" Dickson asked.

  "The shuttle is ready. I plan on leaving after we get through."

  Dickson stood and faced his friend and subordinate. "Get to Tetan 4 as quickly as you can. Their help may be the only thing that saves those two lives."

  He was interrupted by a call from the bridge. "Bridge to Captain."

  Dickson spoke up. "Dickson here."

  The watch officer reported, "Sir, a message from Mr. Levid."

  Dickson looked at Thompson. "In here," he said, then a pause, “Yes Mr. Levid. What can I do for you?"

  Levid's voice was loud and he could tell, irritated. "I see you did not heed my advice. You sent two of your small crew to try and steal my technology and interfere with my experiment. They are in my care now, and if you want to see them again, you will stay out of my business!" he almost screamed. The communications channel was cut.

  Dickson was quiet for a moment. Now the lives of two young people, not even a real part of his crew were involved. His decisions were now even more desperate. "The line is drawn Number One."

  "It'll take a few days, but I'll be back as quick as I can," said Thompson, turning towards the door.

  "Push it, James," Dickson said.

  "Will do, sir," Thompson said with a smile as he left the room. Captain Dickson stood alone, weighed down with his own thoughts. It was moments like these when it wasn't fun being in charge. He turned and walked to the window. Sometimes space really was cold and lonely, he thought. Within a few minutes, he saw a long range shuttle come into view. Circling around the underside of the great ship, it suddenly streaked away on its desperate mission.

  Chapter 5

  Captured

  The inside of the jail was like something out of an ancient history book. Thick stone walls were on three sides and bars along the other. There was only one bare light bulb hanging from its wire just below the ceiling to cast a yellowish light around the three by three meter cell. There was a cot on one side. Jo sat on the edge of the cot alone, wondering what was happening and how she would ever get out of this. When they had been subdued, one of the guards had slapped her forcefully and kicked her in the side. Something had struck her on the back of the head and the next thing she knew, she was waking up in the cell. She almost had to force her eyes open and sit up. Her head still ached.

  She heard the scuffle long before she saw what was happening. In a rush of men, Mike was dragged into the corridor by two very large guards. Once the squeaky cell door was opened, Mike was thrown roughly inside. The guards slammed the door closed again and locked it. They then walked back out of sight.

  At first Mike didn’t move. Jo rushed to his side and helped him ease up so that his shoulders were resting in her lap. "Are you okay?" she asked, brushing his hair out of his face.

  Mike’s eyes fluttered open and he winced as he looked up at her. He tried to move, but it was evident that he was in great pain. "I hurt all over, but they didn't break anything."

  She could see the welts under his eyes and along his cheek. She also saw great welts along his arms and the back of his hands. Obviously he had been savagely beaten. The very thought of it made her cringe. She couldn't imagine what would be coming. "What are they going to do with us?"

  "Beats me," Mike said. "They took the sensor pack. They tried to get me to tell them how to use it. I set it to record all surroundings. If someone from the ship finds it, it will tell them what we've been through," he said. "I don't understand why our radios don't work though." Mike had been trying to use his from the time they had been captured with no response.

  "I don't give a damn about a sensor pack or our radio," she cried out. "What about us? Am I next? What else did they say?" she pleaded. Her fears were really getting to her.

  Mike gave her a skeptical look. "Hey chill out, will you. They wanted to know what we were doing there and stuff. How many others; you know. Of course I didn't tell them anything. Then they brought me here."

  Before Jo could respond, they heard the clang of a metal door opening. In a moment, three men walked up, one resplendent in his uniform. Their cell door was opened once again and the men stepped into the cramped cell. The officer, in a crisp, starched uniform, stepped forward and looked down at them.

  "I am Colonel Brana, your host for a while. I have received instructions to place you in safekeeping until we decide what to do with you," he said swaggering around the small cell. He had a small wooden rod with him that he gestured with.

  Jo was still in a near hysterical state. She struggled to her feet and moved toward him. "I demand to know what....."

  That was a far as she got. Brana scowled at her and stepped forward to slap her across the face with all the force he had. The blow threw her back across the cot and into the stone wall. Mike immediately jumped up and lunged at the man. Brana had never had anyone face him in this manner. Mike hadn't gone a foot before his men reacted. They pulled out leather whips similar to a cat-o-nine-tails and began to beat Mike savagely. Brana even joined in swinging the rod he was carrying fiercely and whipping Mike across the back.

  "You will not speak until you are asked to speak. And never are you to resist me in the slightest," Brana screamed between strokes.

  Jo got up and started moving towards Brana. Brana saw her out of the corner of his eye and forcefully shoved her to the back wall of the cell. Brana raised his rod to begin beating her as well. Through the pain and blows Mike saw what was about to happen and summoned all his strength to stop him. Despite the two other guards he lunged again at Brana and managed to grab his arm. Two additional men appeared and entered the cell. They grabbed Mike and held him as Brana and the other two men began to beat him senseless.

  Jo cowered in corner horrified crying out, "No! Stop it! Please stop it!" But the men were intent on beating Mike into submission. With each stroke, Jo saw cuts and welts rise on his body. He jerked in agony with every touch of the whips, but he did not cry out. His clothing was soon in tatters and blood began running down his arms and sides. Mike mercifully lost consciousness within moments and couldn't hear Jo scream when she saw the bones of his ribs show through some of the wounds.

  Chapter 6

  Contact

  Inside the streaming room, Dickson joined Hadaie, Tosh, and Dr. Nolan for their first official contact with the people of the planet. They were dressed, not in their uniforms, but in clothing very similar to those found on the planet. It was made of pastel tinted fine cloth, which formed a sort of long coat and matching trousers that gathered just under the rib cage. The off white shirt was a looser fit and there was no tie exce
pt for a strip of cloth that ran around the neck. Commander Tosh wore similar clothing, except that hers was slightly looser around the legs than the men. It was an elegant design, very simple and very functional. Dickson hoped that their observations had been correct and that their dress was appropriate.

  Hadaie had the additional problem of his skin color. Taking a few minutes in his cabin, he came out looking very much human. Even his normally spikey black hair had been combed back over his head.

  Dickson looked around at the others, who were a little ill at ease with the new clothing, but not overtly so. He greeted them all with an approving eye as he stepped into the room.

  "Is everyone ready?" he asked. Receiving no answer, he continued. "Now remember, we are representative of the United Alliance. That is the code that they were told to expect. We are to ask to speak to the Minister of Diplomacy only. Let's hope that after all these years they will remember," he expressed as a small joke. Then he turned to the stream operator. "Is the automobile ready?"

  "Yes sir," said the crewman. "It was assembled and tested in bay one. It will be streamed to you after your arrival."

  Dickson nodded. "Very good," he said turning to Hadaie. "Lieutenant, I hope you are familiar with the operation of this vehicle."

  "Yes sir. I have studied the operation and have observed the rules that the drivers on the planet are using. I also have studied a map of the city. We should have no problems."

  "Good. Everyone turn your radios to continuous broadcast," he ordered. They all double tapped their activating switch. "If there is any indication of danger, stream us up immediately," he said to the operator again.

  "We'll be ready sir."

  "Then let's get to it," the captain said as they stepped up onto the streamer pads.