Galyan hesitated. “Yes, sir, it is.”

  “You then fully agree that I am in command of Starship Victory?”

  “I do, with a caveat.”

  Maddox didn’t ask what the caveat was, but said, “And you will continue to follow my orders?”

  “Yes,” Galyan said slowly.

  Before the AI holoimage could add more, Maddox said, “Well, in that case, I would be delighted to search for the Adoks. First, we must clear up the matter of the Unity, Remus and the Fusion.”

  “In what way, sir?”

  “Are you questioning my orders, Galyan?”

  The holoimage paused. “No, sir, I am not.”

  Maddox nodded. “Is Grutch still out there?”

  “Oh. I forgot to mention, sir, while you were away, I attacked Grutch’s stealth ship with the disrupter cannon.”

  “And?” asked Maddox.

  “Grutch teleported away, making good his escape.”

  “Is Grutch still in the Remus System?”

  “I do not presently see him,” Galyan said. “But given my personality profile on him, I suspect that he is watching us from afar and recalibrating his options.”

  Maddox nodded again. “We’ve learned much these past few hours. I’m going to shower and eat. Then, I’m heading to the bridge. Galyan, inform Lieutenant Barnes that he is in charge until I return.”

  “What about me?” Valerie asked. “I can do it.”

  “Not just yet,” Maddox said.

  “I could run the starship,” Galyan said.

  “Gentlemen,” Maddox said. “I’m the captain of Victory until stated otherwise. I and I alone will choose who I relinquish temporary command to. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, sir,” Valerie said.

  “Galyan?” asked Maddox.

  “I prefer the term Driving Force.”

  “You can prefer I call you something all you want,” Maddox said, his voice hardening. “But in the end, I’ll decide what I call someone. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, sir,” Galyan said.

  “And is it clear to you that I run this starship?”

  “It is,” Galyan said.

  “Excellent,” Maddox said. “Then be so good as to relay my message to Lieutenant Barnes. I’ll be on the bridge shortly, and then we’ll decide how to deal with the Fusion First Fleet.”

  -72-

  Less than an hour later, Captain Maddox sat in his command chair on the bridge. Meta was at communications, Barnes at weapons, Andros at science and with others at the other stations. Riker was recovering and doing well in medical. Keith was resting and would return to duty next watch.

  Maddox had been mulling options as he’d showered and eaten. Now, the starship began to maneuver openly toward the Fusion First Fleet two million kilometers from Remus.

  There had been no more contact or attempts from the Unity on Remus against the starship.

  “I wonder if the Unity has more sophisticated warships than the ones we have seen so far,” Galyan said.

  “Good question,” Maddox said. “The short answer is that I don’t know, as they managed to hide that from me.”

  “Sir?” asked Galyan.

  “While the Unity was in telepathic link with me, I was able to hear various thoughts or ideas of theirs. Despite the trillions or whatever number of maggots that make up the alien mass, they’re a single unified…Unity.”

  “That is quite interesting,” Galyan said.

  “Tell me about it,” Maddox said, hoping to avoid any further questions about them right now.

  “Sir,” Meta said. “I’m picking up a hail from the First Fleet.”

  “On screen,” Maddox said, as he swiveled to face the main screen.

  A moment later, a small, hunched man in a red uniform appeared. He had thick dark hair in disarray, and a mole on his left check. He seemed cross, perhaps even angry. Just like the last time they spoke to a Fusion commander, a black-uniformed security officer stood behind the commander’s chair. This man was bald, more than stout, with a gut, and had shrewd dark eyes. He also had a prominent blaster tucked openly in his belt, as if to advertise his power.

  The shoulder-hunched belligerent man in red pointed at Maddox and spoke rapidly. At first, his words seemed like nonsense.

  Maddox looked back at his wife.

  “Oh, sorry,” Meta said, as she tapped her panel. “There, the translator is operating now, sir.”

  Maddox faced forward again. “Could you repeat what you just said?”

  “What?” the man said. “Yes! I demand that you immediately identify yourself, outlander.”

  Maddox abruptly sat as straight as he could, striking a pose as he sneered at the other. “Who are you to make such demands upon me?”

  The man scowled thunderously. “I’m Grand Director Shinto of the Battlewagon Karl Radek and the Fusion First Fleet. I’m in authority here: authorized by the united principles of Social Harmony. That trumps any corporate identity you might possess.”

  “Corporate? I’m not certain I follow you,” Maddox said.

  “I’m the Grand Director of the First Fleet, authorized by the billions of people who make up the Fusion of Planets. That means, in essence, that I’m the personification of those billions and the scientific principles as espoused by Social Harmony.”

  Maddox sat still for several seconds, contemplating his response.

  “You show a modicum of wisdom by having the wit to be astounded by my authorized might,” Grand Director Shinto said.

  Maddox cleared his throat. “What if I told you that I’m the captain of a starship of Star Watch, represented not by billions, but by several trillion people? Surely, my authority, as I am the personification of trillions, trumps your meager few billions.”

  Shinto scowled again, sitting forward. “What is the name of your governing system?”

  “The Commonwealth of Planets,” Maddox said.

  “Commonwealth?” said Shinto. “That implies an equality of representation among the planets.”

  “True.”

  “That implies more than one governing system or theory for these planets.”

  “I’m not sure I follow your reasoning,” Maddox said.

  “Is every planet in this numerous Commonwealth of yours run along the guiding principles of Social Harmony?”

  “No.”

  “Ah-ha,” Shinto cried, raising the index finger of his right hand. It wasn’t straight, but slightly curved. “I possess the greater purity of purpose then and thus hold a greater percentage of popular votes than you both in real terms and obviously in percentages.”

  “Oh, please continue.” Maddox tried to keep the sarcasm from his voice.

  “Social Harmony is the purest form of human government, run along the most scientific and moral grounds mankind has ever devised.”

  “By what rationality do you make this outrageous claim?”

  “Not outrageous in the least,” Shinto said smoothly. “Name me a better form of government than Social Harmony?”

  “I don’t know what Social Harmony is,” Maddox said. “Depending on its theories, I might know a hundred better systems of rule.”

  Grand Director Shinto looked over his shoulder at the fat security officer behind him. “Can you believe this?”

  “He may hold chaotic theories, sir,” the fat man said in a high-pitched voice.

  “Ah, quite right. That is quite right,” Shinto said, as he faced forward again. “Tell me. What is the Commonwealth’s governing ideal?”

  Maddox couldn’t hold it any longer, but laughed, shaking his head.

  “Does that signify your contempt toward us?”

  “No,” Maddox said, recovering. “I laughed out of admiration for your debating skills. I find myself overwhelmed by you.”

  “Not me,” Shinto said, “but by the thrust of my theories: the burning purity and righteousness of Social Harmony’s principles.”

  “Yes,” Maddox said, stroking his upper lip with one finger to hide his smile. “I stand corrected.”

  “Interesting,” Shinto said. “It’s possible I misconstrued your intent. If you can show admiration for Social Harmony’s theories, you must be a right thinker. If corporate or other heinous ideologies cluttered your mind, you would be unable to see the correctness of Social Harmony among all people.”

  “Yes, and who wouldn’t want that?”

  “You would be surprised, sir. For instance, many hold to the doctrine of self-rule.”

  “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “I’m sure I stated it poorly,” Shinto said in a condescending tone. “They believe that an individual should develop his own ideas without consideration of the social whole. They think that an individual should have greater call upon rights than the unified mass of society. Harmony is everything, sir.”

  “You mean Social Harmony?”

  “Exactly,” Shinto said. “I find it remarkable you’ve never studied our principles. For instance, since I represent greater purity of purpose than you, as I represent true reality times billions of right-thinking people, my thoughts and needs hold greater value than your own. For as good as you seem to be, your form of government is naturally less pure than ours. Thus, your authority lacks my purity. It is sullied by greed, hatred and other vile thoughts times whatever trillions live in the Commonwealth.”

  “I had no idea.” Maddox was finding it difficult to keep a straight face.

  Shinto nodded. “Now that we’ve resolved the hierarchy of purpose between us, it’s time to talk about particulars. As the Grand Director of the First Fleet, I’ve noticed that your craft has the ability to jump from one locale to another.”

  “Yes. Despite our obvious ideological impurities, we’ve been fortunate to develop such technology.”

  “We lack such a vessel, and we certainly need such a capacity. You will therefore bring your starship to us and allow my security people to board her en masse.”

  “To what purpose?” asked Maddox.

  “Why, to acquire your vessel for the Fusion, of course,” Shinto said.

  “I see. It’s possible my government would object to my simply handing over our starship to someone else, no matter their purity.”

  Shinto shook his head. “I thought you might retreat to such antiquated theories and arguments. Surely, the greatest and purist form of human government should have the first right to all goods and materials—such as the ship you occupy.”

  Maddox stood up, stretched and regarded the small man closely. “Grand Director Shinto, the conversation has been enlightening. Unfortunately for you, I hold to an ancient theory. Namely, that possession is nine-tenths of the law.”

  “Meaning what?”

  “I hold the starship and refuse to give it up to anyone for any reason.”

  “You won’t aid us then?”

  “On the contrary, I would dearly like to work in cooperation with you.”

  “You would?” asked Shinto, sounding surprised.

  “Yes,” Maddox said, “but on the strict grounds that we each keep what is ours.”

  “You refuse to accept the greater purity of Social Harmony?”

  “Let me put it like this. I admire your purity of government and that it would put such a good person as yourself in command of the First Fleet. When I have the chance, I hope to study Social Harmony and return to the Commonwealth and propose that we operate along similar lines.”

  Grand Director Shinto stared at Maddox. “You admire our form of government?”

  “Given that it produces a man such as you, most certainly,” Maddox said.

  Shinto nodded and smiled. “I’d pegged you for an oafish outlander, possibly as a pirate or freebooter. Now, however, I learn that you have rarefied sensibilities. Will you give us any spare engine parts, or whatever causes your vessel to make those incredible jumps?”

  “I will have to hold a vote on it among my crew.”

  Shinto looked back at the security officer before regarding Maddox again. “You’re clever, Captain, and talk a fine game. For the moment, that will have to suffice. As the Grand Director, I’m forbidden to aid certain types of governmental agents. For instance, those on Remus ruled along aristocratic lines. We’d intended to oust their repressive government and install teachers to guide them along Social Harmony principles. Then, after a time, they could have joined the Fusion.”

  “Those on Remus no longer run their own lives,” Maddox said.

  “Perhaps you should speak more clearly.”

  “Aliens have conquered those on Remus and now rule them with an ironclad system of telepathic control enforced by cerebraters embedded in their foreheads.”

  “Aliens, you say. This is interesting. Some of my officers have propounded the possibility of such a thing. We have seen scant evidence of this, however; although it’s true whoever runs Remus has sown ecological disaster to the planet.”

  “I can give you the evidence of aliens.”

  “Excellent,” Shinto said. “When can I expect you on the Karl Radek?”

  “I’m afraid I’m going to decline the invitation. Instead, I’ll allow several of your officers to come to us.”

  Grand Director Shinto’s crabbed shoulders hunched a little more. “I’m unsure I can allow any of my officers aboard your vessel. You might sully their political purity.”

  “What if I promise not to do that?”

  Shinto shook his head.

  “Does that mean we’re at an impasse?” Maddox asked.

  The fat security officer cleared his throat.

  Shinto looked back at the man, scowled and then leaned his head back. The security officer leaned low and whispered to the Grand Director.

  In the end, Shinto sat forward. “Would you allow a team of commissars to land on your ship and view the evidence?”

  “Yes,” Maddox said.

  “They will be armed.”

  “How many do you envision?” Maddox asked.

  “Three hundred,” Shinto said.

  “Grand Director, I’ll allow ten commissars aboard Victory.”

  “Surely we can compromise. Let us say…two hundred.”

  “Ten.”

  “One hundred.”

  “No deal. I have a different proposal. I’ll send you the evidence via comm.”

  “Such evidence could be faked.”

  “Many things could be faked, sir.”

  Shinto eyed him. “Send us your evidence then. I’ll speak with my people, and afterward we can talk. Until such time, you might want to find refuge among us.”

  “Perhaps not, though,” Maddox said.

  “You are showing the heinous concept known as distrust. I do not applaud you for it.”

  “Nevertheless, given our disparity in numbers and tonnage, I will keep a safe distance from your fleet until we come to a political accord.”

  Shinto pursed his lips, nodding shortly. “Send us the data as soon as possible. Then, we can work out an accord, as you say.”

  -73-

  Maddox held a strategy session an hour after his call to the Grand Director of the Fusion First Fleet.

  The same people sat around the large conference table as earlier except for Sergeant Riker. Maddox stood at the head of the table, outlining the problem. “The Unity holds Remus and is busy converting people into cerebrater-controlled puppets. The Unity has also detonated subterranean hell-burners, creating ecological disaster to the planet by spewing millions of tons of volcanic ash into the atmosphere. I’m not sure why the Unity has done this. If they eventually control the entire planet, wouldn’t they want the human puppets as workers? An ice age or something worse would be detrimental to their puppets and industries.

  “The second problem is the Fusion First Fleet and the Fusion flotilla heading inward. Soon enough, Director Anora will establish contact with the First Fleet. Shinto will learn the flotilla unsuccessfully attacked us before. Will Anora’s report about us destroy all chances of our working together with the Fusion against the Unity?

  “Lastly, the Morag mercenary Grutch is likely still out there somewhere. Whatever we hope to do, we have to take him into account.”

  As Maddox ceased speaking, he glanced around the table. “Galyan,” he said.

  “The final point is the Adoks,” Galyan said, lowering a ropy arm. “We know they exist somewhere in the nebula.”

  “We don’t know that for certain,” Maddox said. “But the real possibility exists.”

  Galyan considered that. “Yes, sir. That is more accurate.”

  “Ideas?” asked Maddox, sitting down after saying it.

  Keith said, “We could destroy the flotilla before it reached the First Fleet. That would keep the dangerous knowledge from reaching this Grand Director.”

  “Possibly,” Maddox said. “But I’m not sure we want to do that. We might need the flotilla’s extra battlewagons and, we presume, ground troops.”

  “Ground troops,” Ludendorff said. “Do you think the Fusion will land soldiers onto Remus…to do what exactly?”

  “Why did the Unity launch its subterranean hell-burners?” Maddox asked. “Or stated more precisely, what does the Unity hope to achieve with all the volcanic ash in the atmosphere?”

  “What do we know about conditions on the planet?” Valerie asked.

  “Can you be more specific?” Maddox asked.

  “I think I have it,” Ludendorff said, interrupting before Valerie could answer. “The Unity ignited the hell-burners to create ecological disaster on Remus in order to create chaos, to break down civil order. How better to take control over the populace, eh? The Unity kidnaps people and inserts cerebraters into them. Doing that takes time and effort. If the Remus military can’t fight back because everything is breaking down because of the disastrous weather patterns, it makes the Unity’s task easier.”

  “And after the Unity conquers the planet?” asked Maddox.

  Ludendorff shrugged. “The puppet humans use Unity technology to terraform the planet to what it used to be, and then work for the rest of their lives as worker bees for the aliens.”

  “That makes sense,” Valerie said.

  Maddox was nodding. “If that’s the case, it’s possible not everyone on Remus has a cerebrater yet. In fact, I recall seeing people in line to receive cerebraters when we were down there.”