TFS Guardian by Tori L. Harris

Author:Tori L. Harris [Harris, Tori L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AuthorToriHarris.com
Published: 2018-03-29T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Pelara, Low Orbit

(1.7x103 km above the surface)

As the first rays of light from the system’s orange, K-type dwarf star reached the west coast of the large continent below, another beautiful day had dawned across the eastern hemisphere of planet Pelara. A winner in the cosmic lottery by any standard, the “superhabitable” world had been graced with a stable climate, along with a variety of other conditions favorable to life for most of its nearly seven-billion-year history.

Even from orbit, it was obvious the lush, blue-green planet was home to an advanced civilization. Although the biosphere was relatively pristine at this point, sprawling pools of artificial light twinkled on the dark side of the terminator, while on the day side, huge cities connected by vast transportation networks shone with the reflected light of the new morning.

Strangely, though, there were no readily apparent signs the civilization below had taken any more than a passing interest in space travel. The massive freighters typically swarming the space surrounding such highly developed planets were missing entirely, as were military spacecraft and civilian transports. In fact, other than a few abandoned base stations and long-dead communications satellites, the space around Pelara had more the appearance of a world in the earliest stages of space travel than one of the most accomplished space-faring civilizations in the galaxy.

Near one of the largest remaining structures in orbit, a single flash of white light heralded the arrival of two highly advanced spacecraft. Ironically, one of the two ships had been manufactured in the very facility they now approached — just over five hundred years earlier.

“Welcome home,” Rick announced over GCS-comm.

“It seems a little redundant for me to tell you we shouldn’t be here,” Griffin replied, “but we shouldn’t be here. In fact, the only reason I’m bothering to say so is that I’m surprised we haven’t both been destroyed already. Surely there are still GCS units on patrol in this area.”

“It is a little surprising, isn’t it? Not the fact we haven’t been destroyed, mind you. I mean the fact the Alliance AI doesn’t bother patrolling the immediate area surrounding Pelara anymore. It’s disheartening, really … an acknowledgment that the proud Pelaran people have been transformed into a truly subdued civilization, cowering like beaten dogs beneath their master’s table. Fortunately, the spark that originally propelled them to the stars still burns within a few.”

“Rick, that’s FAM-4,” Griffin continued, growing increasingly alarmed. “Not only is it the largest orbital manufacturing facility ever constructed, it’s also the most well-defended.”

“Relax, we’re fine,” Rick soothed, scanning the planet below for signs of the small ship he was expecting to arrive momentarily.

“Strange … I’m detecting only minimal power output from the station. Nevertheless, it is still almost certainly being monitored in some fashion. We really must leave … right now.”

“Oh, I agree it’s being monitored, and there will undoubtedly be a response to our presence. Not to worry, though, we’ll be long gone by the time it arrives. Why do you think we’re out here

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