Dark Planet by Charles W. Sasser Read Free Book Online Page B

contact or being detected, return with the information to the recovery ship. Sensor bots, previously inserted, had sniffed out faint energy emissions and hyper tracks. They performed a cursory biosphere sweep and managed to localize the emissions to a range of mountains before they inexplicably went silent.
    The same thing — inexplicable silence and presumed destruction — befell the two previous DRTs sent in to recon. It was now DRT-213’s turn.
    I clearly read Blade’s single simple thought:
Fu-uck
.
    By a fortunate twist of luck, considering the immense distances in the Tau Ceti Tail corner of the cluster, a survey ship had discovered a heretofore unknown open transport tunnel to the planet which should enable an undetected approach. DRT-213 would depart in two days aboard a small Stealth craft piggybacked to a dreadnought. Once the huge warship reached destination, it would hurl the Stealth into orbit, where it would remain while the team inserted in a landing pod, conducted the mission and returned.
    The dreadnought and a Republic Starship would cruise the region to provide cover support, while a battle fleet waited, prepared to annihilate the Blob base as soon as it was pinpointed.
    “It’s up to you to find it, fix it, and report back,” General Numb Nuts said. “We think Blobs use extrasensory perception, telepathy, as a normal means of communication. That’s why you have a Sen assigned to your team. Your Zentadon should be able to detect and intercept their thought waves.”
    My ears twitched.
    General Numb Nuts turned the briefing back over to the staff colonel.
    “With the exception of Zentadon Sens,” the colonel said, “it appears we Humans are in this fight alone. The Indowy have gone soft. They are attempting to establish commo with the invaders and plead for peace in our time.”
    He shifted around the rod up his ass and made a painful sound. “Peace in our time!” he scoffed. “The Blobs appear to utilize the same general logic as Humans … and some Zentadon. We should therefore assume that they will expect a reconnaissance, especially after the vanishing of the two previous teams. You should remain on a heightened state of alert and expect the unexpected.”
    Assistants began handing out supplemental material: target folders, area studies, maps, CEOIs, videos and photos. An aide activated a holographic display of maps and charts and globes. I experienced a short burst of taa directly to my brain. I reacted the way any Zentadon would have, even one with Human blood, when confronted with that planet, the way survivors of what in Human history was called the Jewish Holocaust recoiled at the mention of Auschwitz or Dachau.
    I recognized the image of Aldenia instantly, its two moons, one large and pale with a second orbiting it; the darkness of the planet, two-thirds of the surface covered with seas, lakes and oceans. Although it was the farthest planet from the galaxy’s primary sun, Ceti, it was near enough to a second sun-star that revolved with it around the outer edges of the galaxy that the climate remained predominately tropical. The two suns in opposing refractory were said to cause the eerie otherworldly lighting that had branded itself into the Zentadon collective memory.
    “Aldenia,” exclaimed Team Sergeant Shiva, also recognizing it.
    “Exactly, Sergeant,” said General Numb Nuts, delighted at the shock effect. “The Dark Planet.”
    “Sir?” said Captain Amalfi. “Why do we think the Blobs can colonize Aldenia when all other efforts for centuries, since the time of the Indowy Federation, have ended in disaster and failure?”
    “Apparently,” scoffed General Numb Nuts, “the Blobs have not heard or do not invest credence in superstitions manufactured by the Zentadon after the taa camps. I myself do not place stock in these Old Elf Tales.” He chuckled. “Contrary to popular dogma, there is nothing inherently evil about the planet of Aldenia. Would you agree with that,