Friendship Amongst The Stars

Meanwhile on Pontus deep in the catacombs below the imperial palace Xorbax was sleeping on a cot when suddenly a soft buzzing sound roused her from her slumber. She looked at the cell entrance and saw a hooded being standing on the other side. It was running a finger across the energy field.

A voice whispered “hey wake up.”

Xorbax sat up in the bed as a small package was pushed through the energy field Xorbax still groggy she went to the front of the cell. But the figure disappeared shaking off the grogginess confused she said “is anybody there?”

A voice said “shhhh you can’t see me I’m invisible now then you’ve languished in here long enough I have to go.”

Xorbax walked over to the box knelt down opened it inside was packing foam and 2 cards one was a map with a location stamped on it. The second was a note it read Dear Xorbax, you have languished in this dungeon long enough, inside the box is a invisibility belt with holographic disguise. Turning the card over it continued there is an extra projector which has 14 doharions of power which should give you ample time to escape. Meet an operative at the location designated on the map. Once you arrive knock 3 times Sincerely, Zorbar. P.S. the password is quasar to avoid suspicion use it in a sentence.

Xorbax pulled out a belt with 4 buttons on it and a small projector out of the box and decided to wait until meal time she looked over at the wall. The slit of a window cast a small a sliver of light on the opposite wall based on the position of the sliver it would be soon. A short time later she heard footsteps approaching. She set up the projector and put on the belt pressed the button on the left and faded away. She activated the projector on the table it cast a projection of her lying asleep on the cot.

She stood by the entrance as 2 guards came into view one said “dinnertime.”

Xorbax said “just put it on the table I’m not hungry right now.”

One of them pressed a button turning off the energy field and entering as the other stood watch the first one cautiously placed the food on a nearby table.

Xorbax slipped out of the cell as the guard backed away and reactivated the energy field she then followed them until they reached a 3 way division. The guards went to the right she continued straight ahead. She continued walking along the corridors avoiding detection she soon came to the exit sitting close to the door were 4 guards sitting at a table playing some sort of game. She could hear some of what they were saying.

One said “I have four zarnoks what you got?” Groans of disappointment were heard the winner said “looks like I win again.”

A different voice said with a hint of sense of sarcasm “I think he cheats.”

The winning guard said “I can’t help it if I’m just that good.”

Another voice said in a deadpan tone “careful Qular your ego is showing.”

Qular said “what again?”

Another voice said “just deal.”

Xorbax looked at the door and wondered how to get past them and out the door without being seen just then the door opened and a new guard entered and saluted.

One of the guards grumbled “your late Karphlock/”

Karphcock groaned “it’s not my fault Solsar is conducting military drills again.”

The guards looked at each other one said “again?”

Karphcock nodded “yup.”

They just groaned as one said “oh great that means we will be called to the base for drills.”

Xorbax noticed the door was still open and took advantage of the open door and slipped outside.

At the same time one of the guards said Karphcock were you raised in a mundar? Close the door.

Karphcock said in a sarcastic tone “yes dunn.” then turned and closed the door.

Once outside Xorbax slipped into a nearby alley and pressed a button on the belt turning off the invisibility cloak she pressed the button on the right activating the holo-projector. Tthe light shimmered and she took the appearance of Pontian citizen. She then made her way to a transportation hub and took a shuttle to a location outside of town. She went to the building on the map and knocked 3 times.

The door slide open to the left and a being stood in the doorway a being said “greetings how can I assist you today?”

Xorbax said “I’m looking for a friend.”

The being said skeptically “friend?”

The disguised Xorbax said “yes they come from a quasar orbiting a black hole.”

The being smiled stepped aside and said “welcome to my abode Xorbax I am Zorbar.”

Xorbax turned off the disguise and asked “why did you assist me in escaping from the dungeon?”

Zorbar said “it wasn’t me but I will say this, there are some of us who believe the being who imprisoned you and usurped Hydoria is leading the Pontian Empire on the fast track to annihilation.”

Xorbax said in a confused tone “what did the usurper do?”

Zorbar said “that winged creature is collaborating with various star systems in an attempt to amass an armada and use it to concur neighboring star systems. If they are not stopped they will try to take over the universe. This will plunge our planet into an endless conflict one that will deplete our planets resources and cost countless lives.” Pausing for a moment he smiled then continued “don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with conquest. But such a thing must be conducted with honor. That being has no idea how to govern a multi-galactic empire and this is something we cannot stand for.”

Xorbax paused for a moment “what are you proposing?”

Zorbar said with a smile “I’m proposing this I represent a group that wishes to undermine the one called Matscuf we have operatives working behind the scenes. We feel Hydoria is our one true leader.”

Xorbax grinned “honorable combat is best but they probably know I’ve escaped by now.”

Zorbar said “you’ll be safe here.”

Xorbax nodded “we should find a way to depose Matscuf and when that time comes I want to deal with her personally.”

At the same time in the palace Matscuf was talking to Kalmar about the star systems that were not yet persuaded to their cause.

Just then Kalmar’s communication device began to sound he pulled it out of its holder and smiled “I just received a message from the Dorzarian system. They are willing to join our cause in exchange for a seat at the preverbal table.”

Matscuf nodded and said “tell them we accept and welcome them to our team.”

Then a message came through it was from one of the miners on Symar “Veltor reporting on mining operations 200 gorlons of iridium-126 has been successfully extracted. Contents are being sent to Pontus but we had a minor setback.”

Kalmar asked “what sort of setback?”

Veltor said “a small group of citizens are staging revolts and commencing raids and attacks on our supply ships one of our envoys was attacked and several ships were severely crippled. The rebels have been driven back and the supply ships are on their way to Pontus I send this information stating we are in need some armed escorts to deal with them.”

Kalmar said “understood armed escorts will arrive soon I want that mineral extracted even if you have to enslave the entire planet.”

Veltor said “acknowledged.”

Turning to Matscuf he said “it seems we may have a use for our new allies after all.

Matscuf said “send them to Symar and crush the blossoming rebellion.”

Kalmar nodded “at once my liege” pressing a button on the console “Kalmar to Unarorah.”

Matscuf walked out of sight of the desktop viewer.

A being appeared on the screen it was reptilian with dark green skin and lite green eyes with narrow slits for pupils as a forked tongue slithered out said “Unarorah here.”

Kalmar said “I have a mission for hire it seems a small faction on a planet does not want to cooperate with our grand view and needs persuading.

Unarorah said “oh? What planet is that?”

Kalmar said “the planet Symar.”

Unarorah said “oh that planet I swear when they’re not tripping over their own hairballs their wasting their time insulting others if we agree what’s in it for us?

Kalmar said “we are mining iridium-126 and we will be willing to share the spoils.”

Unarorah said “how much are you willing to share we require at least 200,000 altons.”

Kalmar smiled “that’s fair, terms accepted 200.000 altons is acceptable my leader will be most pleased

Unarorah nodded it would be an honor to teach them a lesson

Kalmar said “we have secret operatives on the planet I will inform them of your arrival and they will contact you.”

Unarorah said “understood, send my personal regards to your leader.”

Kalmar nodded as the screen went blank Kalmar turned Kalmar said “the Lakarians and the Symarians have had a long standing hatred for each other. This gives the Lakarian’s a good excuse to deal with their hated adversaries.”

Matscuf grinned wickedly “perfect this will step up our iridium-126 extraction in the meantime we need to increase our armada.”

Kalmar said “we have the Lakarian military to add to our armada.”

Matscuf walked over to a window looking out at the violet sky turning around she said “we need more than just the one surely if an enemy decides to attack us we would be defenseless.” Turning around she said “we need to keep our expansion a secret. If any apposing systems find out they may unite against us and will be not only invisible but unstoppable.”

Kalmar nodded “I agree but what we have so far is a good place to start.”

Matscuf smiled wickedly “perhaps we may need alternate means of persuasion to achieve our means.”

Kalmar asked “what do you mean my liege?”

Matscuf said “an intergalactic war would be messy and deplete our resources and undermine our efforts therefore we should use less than.” She paused then smiled devilishly “honest disseminations.”

Kalmar smiled a wide smile then said “I see what you’re saying I will get some of the best propagators to craft some effective persuasions.”

Matscuf said “you can attract more Simtars with borlox than with jolar but keep the military defense force on standby just in case.”
.
Kalmar bowed “as you wish my liege.”

Suddenly a message came over the communication terminal “Alpharia to Kalmar.”

Kalmar pressed a button “Kalmar here.”

Alpahria said “Commander we have a situation.”

Kalmar said “what happened?”

Alpahria said “the prisoner Xorbax has escaped.”

Kalmar said “what? How is that possible?”

Alpahria “I don’t know commander energy field was up and last night the prisoner was still in the cell this morning when we came to deliver a meal to the cell and it was empty. A search of the cell turned up a holo-projector.”

Kalmar said “you better find her someone somewhere knows or saw something interrogate the guards and find the traitor. I want a planet wide alert every ship and shuttle leaving this planet is to be scanned and searched if necessary failure is not an option. Failure will result in being thrown into the arena against a paradogian or worse subjection to genetic resequencing.”

Alpahria trembled slightly “a-at once commander I can assure you by the prime creator she will not escape.”

Kalmar said in a softer tone “Matscuf and especially I are going hold you too that Kalmar out.”

Matscuf said “I want security doubled.”

Kalmar said “at once my liege.”

Pressing another button on the console he said “Kalmar to Gleti.”

A voice replied “this is security chief Gleti speaking.”

Kalmar said “our prisoner has escaped initiated security protocol level 3.”

Gleti said “at once commander.”

After turning off the console he turned to Matscuf and said “security has been increased my liege.”

Matscuf said “excellent work commander now we need to focus on our pet project.”

Kalmar bowed and said “agreed I’m on it.”

Back at the safe house Xorbax was pacing around “I must find a way to inform Hydoria of the treason that lurks on his world.”

Zorbar said “that may not be advisable I have reports of all shuttles leaving the planet are being scanned and searched as well as all commutations being sent off world are being monitored.”

Xorbax gritted her teeth and muttered “vorkock.”

Zorbar said “perhaps the cause is not totally lost what we need is an operative to deliver a message to Hydoria.” Thinking for a moment he smiled “I have an idea write out your message and I have a subject to deliver it.”

Xorbax arched an eyebrow “what do you have in mind?”

Zorbar said “there is a way to transport information that is not detectable by conventional means it is possible to encode a message into an inert genetic code. By using a blank chromosome that is inert the message would be encoded into the chromosome. The chromosome will bind to the DNA of the carrier and replicate itself. Then the receiver would extract a DNA sample locate the chromosome and read the message.”

Xorbax smiled “that’s perfect” then left to work on writing the message a short time later she returned carrying a notepad.

Zorbar took the pad and nodded “I will get to work on the project.”

A short time later Zorbar returned with a small container showing it to Xobax he said “this container contains 14 florocks of self-replicating blank DNA. The message you wrote will be encoded onto the chromosomes.

Xorbax said “that’s great but who is going to deliver it?

Zorbar said “I sent a message to an operative who is close to Hydoria and is on their way here as we speak.”

Just then a knock came to the door they both turned their heads Xorbax turned on her cloaking belt as Zorbar went to the door and the door slide open.

A Pontian stood outside looking at Zorbar and said “greeting Zorbar.”

Zorbar said “what can I do for you?”

The being said “I’m here to help.”

Zorbar arched an eyebrow and asked “you are?”

The Pontian smiled and said “the quasars are bright in the sky.”

Zorbar smiled and let the Pontian enter he smiled and said “welcome to the safe house come in.”

As Pontian entered the building it shapeshifted to its root form Zorbar said “Metzel meet Xorbax.”

Metzel said “I don’t see anyone else here.”

Xobax said “I can correct that oversite and turned off her cloaking belt and re appeared she looked at him and said “Metzel, I’ve heard of you you’re a shapeshifter from Ranje Ko aren’t you?”

Zorbar left for a moment “I’ll be right back.”

Metzel nodded and shifted to Zorbar smiled then shifted to his root form “this is my base form.”

Xorbax smiled and they shook hands “I’ve heard of you were the one who helped take over the leadership of our current usurper’s home world.”

Metzel said “yes Hydoria sent me here after the takeover upon arriving I tracked down Zorbar and engineered your escape.”

Xorbax said “so it was you one outside my cell I’m guessing you are going to be the one to send the message to Hydoria.”

Metzel nodded “yes I was on the usurper’s home world it’s a strange place we gained alliances with three of the main inhabitants others pending. First were the quadrupedal shapeshifters, then the large fire breathing creatures then the bird like flying creatures.” He frowned “the ponies still refuse to join us but they will see reason soon.”

Xorbax said “once the planet is ours the ponies will make good slaves.”

Zorbar returned and said “the message is ready to encode.”

Metzel turned to Zorbar and said “ready.”

Zorbar nodded and used the extraction device and took a blood sample and walked over to a small table inserted encoded the message into the blood sample. Then injected the blood back into Metzel and said “procedure complete. Hydoria can take a sample of your blood and read the message.”

Metzel asked “how long will this encoding last?”

Zorbar said “after 10 solar cycles the encoded strands will degrade and the message will be lost.”

Metzel said “understood I guess I better go.” He shifted his form and left the safe house and boarded a ship and set course for the pony home world. Once in orbit the patrols scanned his ship then let him pass once he left the Pontian system he entered the destination of the pony world. He thought I wish this planet had a name it would make finding it on a galactic map easier than saying location 72° to the axial plane of the red supergiant Zeplar. He sat back as the engines engaged and he was on his way.