The Ocoda Chronicles Book 5 Paladonians Read online

  Benton, now feeling very uncomfortable, asks quietly, “Rachel, this is nuts, why would Cale bring back a T-Challa?”

  A voice in Benton’s head says telepathically, “Because humans are not the only victims of the Meli’s evil.”

  Benton is alarmed, asking aloud, “What the hell was that!?!”

  Cooley chuckles, answering, “It was probably Allie.”

  Benton even more confused asks, “Who the hell is Allie?”

  Cooley smiles, saying, “Gabe we’ll be there in a few minutes, just hang on luv.”

  After five more minutes, they arrive at the massive stadium. Cooley stares directly at Benton, saying, “Now listen up jarhead, no matter what you think or believe, just shut up and listen.”

  Benton annoyed, says, “Really lieutenant? You’re giving me an order now!?!”

  Cooley is clearly not amused as she turns putting her hand on Benton’s face, pushing him against the hovercraft. She begins her lecture, replying, “Listen you big bad ass marine, if I tell you to shut up and listen, you will shut up and listen, and it’s not because of my rank you’ll listen, it’s because if you don’t, I will kick your bloody ass from here to hell and back. Do I make myself clear Colonel Jackass!?!”

  Benton’s eyes go wide. He stands there astonished by Cooley’s extremely forceful nature. Benton grins, saying, “You know Rachel, if you weren’t engaged to Reg, I’d be all over you.”

  Cooley shakes her head in total disgust, saying aloud, “Men!”

  The two enter the initial foray, a room that opens up to massive structure that spans hundreds of yards across. It is massive room and seems devoid of anyone. Then after a few minutes on the far side of the room, two massive doors open and Cooley says, “Follow me luv.”

  This main chamber is massive in size, easily encompassing several city blocks within it. The chamber is filled with a mist that seems to permeate throughout the entire room, as a colossal shadowy figure moves in the background.

  Benton immediately notices this and becomes apprehensive, reaching for his sidearm, but is shocked to see it’s gone.

  Cooley, noticing Benton’s action, turns towards him holding out his plasma gun, stating, “Did you really think I was going to let you hurt Allie?”

  The mist abruptly dissipates as Allie is clearly seen. She is the size of a city block and towers over Benton and Cooley. Her appearance and sheer size would easily be perceived as horrifying, but without the effects of the Meli the T-Challa queen is anything but, and despite her frightening appearance, she exudes an inner peace, which seems to calm everyone. She speaks telepathically to both, saying, “Hello Mister Benton.”

  Benton in shock, saying, “I can’t believe he actually did it. He brought it back to life.”

  Allie amused, points out, stating, “You are right Auntie Rachel. Uncle Gabe is very slow on the obvious.”

  Benton snaps out of the initial shock, responding, “Obvious, Auntie? What the hell is going on here?”

  Cooley giggles, answering, “Don’t worry Gabe, Uncle Reg was as confused as you were at first, but just like Reg you will find that Allie is our friend, and our responsibility to take care of, as she will take care of us.”

  Allie alerts Cooley, saying, “Auntie, the Onatofs are still working on forbidden technology. They are currently trying to break the lock out codes on the new X’ena-human hybrid database.”

  Cooley concerned, asks, “Will they be able to figure out how to bypass the lockouts?”

  Allie confidently replies, “No Auntie, the lockouts are well hidden within all Paladonian technology. Paladin has created thousands of false programs, which will take the average human hundreds of years to figure out which are real, and which are false. The Onatofs are far from posing any real threat at decoding the Paladin protocols. The lockouts are built right into the core programming of all Earth and Paladonian technology, which prevents both civilizations from being overly aggressive towards the other or themselves. Paladin went to extreme lengths at masking these programs from the Paladonians who already know how to bypass the Earth programs.”

  Benton, hearing all this asks, “Wait, are you telling me this thing knows how to override Caleb’s lockouts?”

  Allie annoyed at Benton’s statement, says, “Thing. I am not a thing.” Allie becomes emotional, and starts to cry, saying, “Auntie, he is so mean.”

  Cooley turns around swiftly and punches Gabe on his shoulder as hard as she can, yelling, “You are such a big dummy! Allie is not even a year old! Why don’t you go tell some kiddies that the Easter bunny isn’t real!”

  Benton, now feeling completely uncomfortable, says, “Look, I’m sorry, but you’re a bit much to take in all at once.”

  Allie, still upset cries, “Now he thinks I’m fat!”

  Cooley shakes her head, saying, “Gabe! Arggghhh! Just go wait in the car before you really hurt her feelings. You just wait until I tell Celesta what you did.”

  Benton is dumbfounded, stating, “Car, we don’t have cars Rachel their hovercrafts.”

  Cooley, clearly unamused, angrily points to the door, tapping her foot loudly

  Benton extremely confused leaves the massive chamber and waits out by the hovercraft. He shakes his head in complete disbelief, looking out over the massive city within the dome.

  After a few minutes Cooley appears, and once again punches Benton on his other shoulder, yelling, “I hope to god when you have children you learn to keep your big dumb mouth shut!”

  Benton, now annoyed, says, “Rachel, this thing was responsible for killing millions of humans, and now it knows all about our technology.”

  Cooley even more infuriated at Benton yells, “Gabe can you be anymore dumber! Allie is not the Meli, and she’s not responsible for anyone’s death, anymore then Carla was responsible for that horrific future we just survived. All Allie knows is what Caleb has taught her, so I doubt Allie knows how to override the shutdown protocols, but I do know she has enough knowledge to help us when we need it. Caleb gave Allie back her life, and then imbued all the knowledge of the X’ena upon her, so if you can’t trust in Allie then you can’t trust in Cale.”

  Benton is still in total amazement, rubbing his shoulder, asking, “And Reg is ok with this?”

  Cooley, noticing Benton rubbing his shoulder answers, “Of course you big baby. I can punch Reggie a lot harder than I punch you.”

  Several hours later, the council leaders meet in the council hall, located on the moon of the First ones. The hall is basic and simple in its overall design, as it possesses several chairs around an octagon table. Nonetheless, within its design is one of the most breathtaking views of the planetary system, as a grandiose dome clearly shows the massive planet now called Paladonia as well as a few of the moons that orbit it. Benton, still dealing with Allie, begins to pace around the council chamber, while he and the rest of the council members all wait. Reginald White the council president sits next to his wife-to-be Rachel Cooley, who is now an active member of the council, but with limited voting power. She is the leader of the Whitefeather moon that although has no population still has a vested interest in the future events of the Paladonian’s and so is allowed a vote on anything that pertains to future policies, which would also affect the Whitefeather moon. They sit impatiently waiting, with Uari and Odette, the leaders of the moon Uari and the moon of the Valentine, respectively.

  They’ve all been waiting for Dorian and Edgar to arrive. Benton annoyed, asks, “So do we usually have to wait for twiddle Dee and Dumber to show up?”

  White sighs loudly, replying, “Well, most times we do wait for them.”

  Cooley snickers, saying, “If they show up at all.”

  Uari scoffs, stating, “They will be showing up today, they want more slaves to build up their forces.”

  Odette surprised, stating, “Uari, please now. My people have inspected the Onatof and Rooke worlds regularly and have seen no sign of this since Reginald installed the laws of personal freedom.”
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  Cooley makes eye contact with Reg and shakes her head. White reluctantly rolls his eyes, and says, “Odette, it is possible the Onatof and Rooke governments are still hiding things from us, and even though they allow your inspections, myself, like most here, have serious doubts as to their true intentions.

  Benton, finally sits down, then leans back in his chair, and purposely puts his boots up on the council table, saying, “Why don’t me and my people do the routine inspections.”

  Dorian enters, hearing Benton’s last statement, and replies, “That would be Ill-advised Council Benton, as you are so preoccupied with so many other tasks.”

  Benton looks down at his holowatch, saying, “I got plenty of time.”

  Edgar then enters the room, saying, “Well, perhaps you should be more concerned with your own moon then. Especially since you have had several citizens leave and come to join my moon.”

  Benton scoffs. He stands up looking directly into Edgars eyes’, saying, “You mean the spies that you sent over who tried to convince my men to leave and join up with your wimpy ass cowards. You mean those citizens Egbert.”

  White frustrated, with the internal bickering, stands up, yelling, “Enough! Take your seats and let’s just get this over with.”

  Edgar and Dorian sit apart from the rest of the council as White, starts, “Gabriel has brought back one thousand and twelve refugees. From my initial reports and from what Gabe has told me they are quite a handful. I’d suggest that we show them all our different cultures and allow them to decide where they want to live, and regardless which moon these people choose it should be expected that we educate them in our ways and our laws.”

  Dorian cautiously states, “Would that not be like letting the children decide what to do. These Earthers are infant like, and have no concept of what is best for them.”

  Odette, reluctantly states, “I would also like to allow them their choice, but I must agree with Council Dorian, these good people are just too immature to make the best decisions, even more so than most preindustrial Earthers.”

  Cooley points out, saying, “Well, most of these people are military trained, and are without families, but some are complete families. I think we can all agree that families should be allowed to stay together.”

  Edgar sarcastically agrees, saying, “Excellent idea, I think we can all agree on keeping the families together.”

  Cooley scowls, whispering to Benton, “I think I need a shower when either Edgar or Dorian ever agrees with me.”

  Uari, who is now concerned declares, “We need to establish the recovery protocols, and our introduction procedures. Most of these people will be completely overwhelmed with what has happened. I think we need to decide here and now just how we should go forward.”

  White thinks to himself. I need to establish my leadership, but I must do so in a way that shows I’m impartial and fair. Regardless if I can’t stand either Dorian or Edgar, I must maintain a proper decorum. White says, “Gabriel will be setting the guidelines for recovery of these people from Earth, as for the introduction of these people to our individual cultures I’m going to ask that we send representatives from each moon to begin interviews with these people and determine who should go where and why. I will agree with the council that these people may not be able to make the right choice for themselves, but I think we as a people can choose who the right fit is for each of our civilizations.”

  Dorian looks to Edgar, as the two always seem bent on undermining White’s authority whenever possible. Dorian stands up clapping and asks, “Excellent idea Council leader White, and of course it will be you making the final decision then?”

  White, feeling nothing but contempt for Dorian and his callous praise replies, “No Dorian, we will let those same representatives vote, and only in deadlock will a council member pass judgment.”

  Edgar grins with a devilish smile, now adding his sarcastic comment to the debate, stating, “Well, I’m sure you or someone will of course include us in that voting, Council leader White.”

  White looks at Edgar with complete disdain, answering, “Of course Edgar.”

  Benton scowls, and says, “Reg you’re way too sympathetic to these two idiots.”

  Dorian sneers, seeing a way to provoke Benton, saying, “Council Benton, I hope your astonishing insight into leadership will inspire us all too great achievements.”

  Benton, not one for manners or decorum, simply says, “Bite me you little egghead.”

  White sighs, lowering his head down towards the table, saying, “Gabe, enough please!”

  Benton never takes his eyes off Dorian. He sits back in his chair brewing in anger.

  White, hoping to get this meeting over says, “Well, if there are no more objections, I believe we can begin with these interviews, and initiate placing our new arrivals to good homes.”

  Edgar, with a dubious smile, stares at Benton, saying, “We have one of the two gateways completed. May I suggest that our esteemed military commander prepare to embark as soon as possible and place it near the Earth system? We should have the second gateway operational within the next four months.”

  Benton still annoyed at both Dorian and Edgar, stares back directly at Edgar, saying, “I’ll leave when I’m damn ready Egbert.”

  Edgar, still smiling sarcastically says, “Of course Council Benton, I’m sure you must still be tired from such a lengthy journey, perhaps it would be better when Caleb returns from one of his secret missions that he should go instead.”

  Dorian, ever the instigator, adds, “Perhaps we should discuss Caleb’s secret missions. I hear rumors that he is saving aliens and they are here, hidden on this very moon.”

  Uari snaps at Dorian, saying, “When Caleb wants us to know what he is doing he’ll tell us.”

  Dorian smiles, responding, “Of course he will. The Ocoda’s have always had the best interest of us all foremost in their hearts.”

  Cooley, who has been silent for the most part, takes a well-placed jab at Dorian. Tickled, she says, “Well with such a big heart, as you possess Council Dorian, and considering how well you have treated your people. Especially, after that forced labor thing and all luv. I’m sure you would be the resident expert on human compassion.”

  Dorian finally stops smiling. He sits down, saying, “Well then, I guess we won’t be discussing these rumors of aliens on this moon.”

  Allie telepathically speaks to White, saying, “Uncle Reg, Dorian is hiding a holorecorder in his suit. He plans on using your conversation on aliens to unseat you as council lead.”

  White exhales, infuriated. He stands up slowly, walking to Dorian. He methodically stands next to him and says, “Council Dorian, I know I shouldn’t need to remind you the implications of recording our private meetings and then releasing that recording to the public.”

  Dorian feeling very uncomfortable stands up, yelling, “What treachery are you accusing me of Council White!”

  White immediately grabs Dorian’s arm, and twists behind his back, pushing him against the table, yelling, “Dorian if you don’t give me that holorecorder now I will break your arm, and should you still resist I will break your other arm.”

  Benton jumps up, yelling, “Come on Dorian, resist! Resist!”

  Dorian in distress whimpers out, “In my left pocket.”

  White reaches into his pocket, pulling out the device, releasing Dorian, who immediately collapses to the ground, yelling, “You will pay for this White!”

  Edgar then stands up, bellowing, “Was violence the only way to ask your question Council White.”

  Uari upset yells at Edgar, asking, “You see nothing wrong with Dorian recording our meetings?”

  Dorian enraged yells, “I was only recording the meeting for my personal viewing!”

  White calmly sits back down, declaring, “Council Dorian, your intention was to get me to admit that we have aliens amongst us and then use that to stir up your fear mongering and racist superiority groups. You can say anything you
want to deny this, but we all know the truth. Know this Dorian, from this day forward I will be watching you even more closely than ever before.”

  Odette is terrified, as she and the rest of the council vacate the chamber quickly, leaving just Benton, Cooley, and White, who is still holding the holorecorder in his hand.

  Benton is blissful and astounded, asking, “How the hell did you know he had that recorder on him Reg?”

  White sighs, saying, “Allie sensed it in his thoughts, I have her constantly keeping tabs on those two whenever possible.”

  Benton shocked, asks, “You trust that big ugly…”

  Cooley reacts with the speed of an overprotective mother, reacting instantly, she throws her glass of water at Benton, striking his head, and begins yelling, “If you say one more mean thing about Allie, Gabe, and so help me I’ll kick your bloody ass from here to Earth! Do I make myself clear!?!”

  Benton in shock and dazed, starts rubbing his head in pain, saying, “You gotta be kidding me.”

  White can’t help but laugh, saying, “Gabe, Allie is a great help, and if you don’t learn to curb your tongue around Rachel about Allie, she will rip you a new one, and that we all can agree on.”

  Cooley stares menacingly at Benton, breathing heavily as she reaches for White’s glass.

  CHAPTER THREE

  LOST AND FOUND

  Two months have passed, as Celesta finally leaves the Paladonian system. She is carrying the gateway, meant for the Earth system, where it will be hidden within the Oort cloud just outside the solar system. The second gateway should be completed by the time they are ready to return.

  Benton’s second mission is to locate several Germanic colonies along Greenland’s coastline, as well as several south pacific island villages, whose inhabitants mysteriously disappeared without a trace. This recovery operation is designed to bring back over two thousand survivors, provided that the gateways are functioning first.