Chroniech! by Doug Farren Read Free Book Online Page A

suit's sensors," Ken said turning his gaze back toward the shifting patterns of force. "This is obviously some sort of force field but it does not register on the sensors."
    "Your sensors are fine. The energy field is very tightly structured and radiates only a very tiny amount of leakage. The visual effects are all that exist. Your suit sensors are not sensitive enough to detect the tiny emissions."
    "What is it?" Ken asked. His arm involuntarily starting to move toward the surface of the sphere.
    Falnath quickly reached out and stopped him. "I would not attempt to touch it. We do not yet know what effect it might have on your suit. As soon as our equipment arrives we will begin our analysis."
    Falnath moved away to inspect the rest of the room leaving Stricklen to stare into the hypnotic patterns. Soon, several large pieces of scientific equipment arrived along with their attending scientists. As they busied themselves at setting up the equipment Ken reluctantly decided that it was time to return to the ship. Taking one long last look around the chamber he exited and returned to the Dragon .
    Ken's mind was full of unconnected thoughts on the ride back. The equipment he had just seen defied explanation. Forty thousand years old and still operating. Doing what? Built by who? And for what purpose? As soon as he could he called Doug and told him he was ready for that drink. Stricklen had a distinct feeling that they were over their heads on this one.
    4 - Peacekeeper
     
    Captain Stricklen woke to the sound of reveille. Ordering the lights to half intensity he crawled out of bed and made his way to the shower. Three seconds after stepping into the steaming spray he was awake and cursing under his breath. When he had gone to bed he had left orders to be notified when the fleet had arrived. That should have been at least two hours ago.
    Stricklen angrily spun the valve to turn off the shower then activated his wrist-com. "Bridge, what is the current status of the Mobius?"
    "We received a brief message about four hours ago saying that they were responding to a distress call from a heavy transport," the watch officer said. "We haven't heard anything from them since."
    "Why was I not informed!" Stricklen replied his voice echoing in the shower stall.
    "I… Ah… I did not see any reason to sir," stammered the young officer. "The Mobius did not indicate that they wanted our assistance and I felt our primary duty was to remain on-station to provide security for the alien ship."
    The man's logic was sound. Stricklen calmed himself, then said, "You were correct lieutenant. If the Mobius arrives before I get to the bridge, please contact me via com-link."
    Ken completed his morning routine without further interruption. After assuming control of the bridge he discovered that he had a message waiting for him from Doug. The scientists were going to present their first status report at 0900 and Scarboro wanted to know if this time was acceptable. Ken replied that it was.
    At 0733, the Mobius arrived. It took the fleet until 0840 to match velocities and to position themselves in a protective shell around the alien ship. In all, sub-fleet K140 consisted of three medium cruisers, five destroyers, and one very impressive Tholtaran master-dreadnought. Ken had heard descriptions of Tholtaran warships but had never before seen one. The size of a Tholtaran warship was legendary.
    The Mobius was roughly egg-shaped and had a maximum diameter of over twelve kilometers. Its surface bristled with weapon blisters. The Tholtarans had easily defeated Earth during the brief Human-Tholtaran war which had occurred shortly after Humans had journeyed into space. There were still some bitter feeling between the two races even though the war had ended over 50 years ago. Stricklen's own grandfather had been lost in that war.
    "Fleet Commander Trisk of the Mobius on com-three for you sir," said the communications watch.
    Stricklen put aside his feeling as best he