Episode VIII 
Olympians 
 

           Space glistened around the Shivan destroyer, somewhere in the Beta Cygni system. Cronis floated down one of the hallways. He never looked at them before, but for some reason he found himself looking at them. The hallway was shaped in an octagon, the eight walls pushed down on him. Pipes trailed off into the distance, they lined the four slanted walls. Hallways, designed exactly the same way stretched out and up. It was very dimly lit, there were small lights every once and a while, but there was no major light source. Cronis stopped in front of a large pressure door. The door to his commanders office. The door slowly opened to reveal the commander, he stood at his desk.
             The desk was inverted, there were two screens. The keyboard was positioned above the Shivans head, where the two hands could reach it. One screen displayed the keyboard, the other showed him the report he was typing up a report. Cronis floated in, and the door closed. The Shivan turned and stoped his writing. 
              You wanted to speak with me? Cronis asked. The Commanding Shivan nodded. 
              Yes, come with me. The Shivan shut off the screen, and floated by Cronis and out the door. How has the hunt been going? He asked. 
              It is going well. The leader for the Shivans has destroyed the Cheops, the emperor has fallen. Another prophecy ful filled. The commander nodded. 
              I see. They floated upwards, gripping the handholds as they went. They floated into the docking bay. Cronis gasped. There, lining the flight bays were new fighters, and standing in front of them was a Terra. He wore a black uniform, and held a pad in his hand. This is the representative from the Terran Corporation. Cronis floated in, the two came face to face. The Terran sneered. Cronis backed off. 
              Cronis, I presume. Cronis nodded slightly. Well these are your new fighters. We call them Dragons. They are a mixture of Shivan, and Terran technologies. Nicely disguised so that if ever captured they would seem totally Shivan. He walked over to one of the fighters. The engine system is faster, and stronger then any ship you have, and its more manoeuvrable. The cockpit is the same, and the shield system has been increased in strength twenty five percent. He smoothed down the gun ports. Four gun ports, with the ability to load both Shivan and Terran weapons. He walked back. These ships will allow you to capture what you want so badly. Cronis smiled. A Shivan floated unto the deck. 
               Chaarona. Cronis turned around and looked at the new Shivan. A message is coming in for you. Cronis nodded to his commander and followed the new Shivan out. The Terran looked at the Commander. 
               I remember our bargain Terran. The Terran nodded.
               I should hope you would. I would hate to find out what would happen if the GTA got a hold of the plans to all your ships. The commander sneered. 
               Do not worry. The commander left, and the Terran smiled.      

             Sam walked down the hallway, his sword hilt braced by his side. The lights beet down upon him. He saw the door in front of him, it was that of Admiral Newshire. He contemplated his mission, to expose Newshire as a traitor. He had to confront his old commander, he had to tell him what he was here to do. He owed the Admiral that much. Sam paused outside the door. He hit the button next to the door, and it slid slowly open. The Admirals quarters were much like all the other quarters. The lights where turned down low, but images of whales, and sailing ships could still be seen on the walls. The shelf was filled with books on old sailing ships and whales.
               In his hands the Admiral clutched a copy of Herman Melvilles Moby-Dick. The book was black, it had a box on the cover and a gold trim around it. There was a hazy image of a whales tail, sunken deep in the dark blue water. On the back there was a large blue diamond, with a quote from the book over it. Newshire had gotten it in some book faire, it was from the late twentieth century, Sam didnt remember how much Newshire had spent on it. Sam stepped through the doorway. 
                The four whales slain that evening, had died wide apart; one, far to winward; one less distant, to leeward; one ahead; one astern. These last three were brought alongside ere nightfall; but the windward one could not be reached till morning; and the boat that had killed it lay by its side all night; and that boat was Ahabs. Newshire quoted. He lowered the book. Hello Sam. Newshire had a heavy English accent, he was a hardened soldier, but kept a warm smile. Please, take a seat. Sam sat down, the door closed. So what did you do to get transferred from the flagship all the way out here? Sam didnt smile. 
                Actually GTA has sent me on a mission out here to... Newshire cut him off. 
                To make sure Im not being a traitor. Newshire took a sip from a mug he held. Yes, I figured they would. he stood. Care for a drink? Sam shook his head. 
                You seem rather confident. Sam started. 
                You mean about this GTI witch hunt? he smiled and sat down. Sam nodded. Well because I called for it. Sam furrowed his brow. Yes thats right. I called for it, except I told them to make it about me, so that the real culprits would not bloody find out about it. He sat back down. I believe that Triton Dynamics is working with the Shivans, you need to find proof. Sam nodded. 
                Actually I found proof. Sam picked up his sword. He drew it and placed it on the table. He unlocked the bottom of the scabbard and pulled out a small metal disk. Sam tossed it on the table. I found that on the Cheops. Newshire picked up the piece and inspected it. He found the words written on the back. Then I found a similar piece on my Ulysses, the device was controlling my systems. And guess who was controlling them? Newshire tossed the piece on the table. 
              Shivans. Sam nodded. 
              Also I saw a Triton Dynamics officer on the Cheops, and the Vasudan in command of the wing knew about a Shivan surprise attack before they had opened jump nodes. Newshire nodded. 
              Thats a lot but we need more. A group of Triton Dynamics engineers arrived on the ship, and weird things began to happen. Strange Shivan attacks, they seemed to know where we were at all times. I believe that these engineers  are communicating with the Shivans. We must catch them in the act. Sam looked around the room. 
              How do you know theyre not listening to us now? Sam asked. Newshire reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. The bar of light rotated around the cube. It was a short range jamming device. Sam nodded. He stood, and returned his sword to its scabbard. 
                 Perhaps we are all like Ahab, waiting for out whale to be brought back to the ship. Forever chasing our white whale. Sam turned. If there is one lesson to be learned its dont give up, even if that whale is a friend. Sam nodded and walked out of the room. The door closed behind him, and Sam walked away. 

                Sam walked back to the flight deck. A Triton dynamics officer was leaning through the cockpit. He examined the area where Sam had removed the device. The officer looked over at Sam as he approached. How did this happen? He asked. Sam shrugged. 
                Computer malfunction, had to repair it in flight. The officer eyed him. Then something beeped, he brought forth a small pad. He spoke to it, and then turned back to Sam. 
                I will address it later, he walked off. Sam looked around, and then followed him. The officer walked down the corridor, Sam remained at a safe distance. The officer stoped and turned. Sam dove down the adjacent corridor. The officer shrugged and continued on. Sam looked out from behind the wall. He followed the officer again. The officer stoped at a door. He started to turn. Sam dove into the nook of a door. The door in front of the Officer opened, Sam rushed up and waited for it to close. He pressed an ear to the door. 
                 What happened? Someone inside asked. 
                 He found the Transmitter. The officer said. 
                 I see. Well it is of no matter, the Demons have been delivered, there is no way that Captain Morrison will be able to stop us now. He will be dead soon. The first man said. Have you paid off the woman? He asked. 
                 Yes. The officer said. She has provided us with location of the Ancients ship, and what the tablets said. Sam swore. Susan had been paid off, he should have noticed the change in her character. What do we do with her now? 
                 Eliminate her. There was suddenly footsteps, Sam backed off, there was no time. If they came out of that door he would be a goner. He looked up, there was very low lighting in this part of the ship. He took out his sword and slashed the light. Sparks flew and the light was gone. Sam was bathed in pitch dark. The door opened. Sam griped the sword tightly. The Triton Dynamics officer looked around, he was looking straight at Sam. 
                 Hmm... he started. The light just went out. He shrugged. I hate space ships. He walked off down the corridor. Sam dove into the room before the door closed. The first man was nowhere to be seen. The room was empty, another room lay off to one side. Sam peered in to see the first man next to a screen. The screen lit up. 
                   About time Shivan. Sam readied a small camera. He began recording. 
                   I was reviewing your craft. The Shivan said. Sam knew that voice, it was Cronis. 
                   And what do you think of the Demon? the man asked. 
                   It is adequate. Now what information do you have for me? Cronis sneered. 
                   Our deal? Once you have eradicated GTA and Earth Triton Dynamics will get the rest of these systems? Cronis nodded. 
                   Yes, under strict Shivan view. The man nodded. 
                   Excellent. The man you call the leader for the Shivans is here. Cronis grew angry. 
                   I know that. Do you have anything new? The man grew stern. 
                   Do you believe Id take the chance of being discovered if I didnt? he backed off. Yes, infant I do. This ship is headed for the Ross 128 system. It will give you an ample time to strike. Cronis nodded. 
                     What will you do to his fighter? Cronis asked. 
                     The same thing we did last time, except this time he wont be able to get at it. Well hide it under the right wing. Nothing will stop you this time. Cronis grew stern. 
                    It had better not Terran. Cronis said. 
                    What about Captain Votion? The man asked. 
                    Kill him. the man nodded. The screen went dark. Sam shut off the cam and walked out the door. The man followed. Sam saw his face and drew back into the shadows. He was the head of Triton Dynamics himself. Kenneth Dryer. Dryer walked away, Sam had to get to Votion, before Dryers troops did. Sam took off down the hallway. 

                      Sam walked into Votions quarters. Votion sat reading something on a pad. Sam turned around and locked the door. You could have knocked. Votion said putting down the pad. 
                       Your fault for not locking it. Sam said. Listen, Triton Dynamics has made a deal with the Shivans. Votion stood. 
                       We must stop them. Sam nodded. 
                       But right now theyre trying to kill you. Sam checked the vents. Votion began to topple over books. 
                       What are we looking for? Votion asked. Sam shook his head. 
                       Anything, like a bomb, or a gas grenade or anything. They suddenly stoped as there was a rap on the door. 
                       Captain Votion, you are under arrest for conspiring with Shivans. Sam and Votion looked at each other. Votion shook his head. 
                       I have not. The officers outside kept at their pounding and yelling. You know me Sam, I have not. And I will not, the destroyers are evil, and I would never help them destroy my people. Sam nodded. 
                       Try tellin them that. There was another much louder knock. 
                       Captain Votion, open this door immediately. Sam looked over at Votion, he coocked his small weapon. Sam pulled his sword out. He nodded, Votion stood next to the door. Sam pushed the button and it slid open. The officer pulled back in surprise. 
                       Captain Morrison. he brought up his gun. Sams eyes went wide, he jumped to the side, bullets ripped through the air where Sam was. He hit the button again and the door slid closed. Looks like neither of us are safe. If I remember correctly the quarters through this wall are Johnsons. Lets see if this sword really can cut through anything. Sam tossed the sword to Votion. With a mighty yell Votion brought the sword down through the metal. It stopped after only a small hole. Votion pulled the sword out. 
                       The door caught on fire as a blow torch began to cut its way through the metal. Sam peered through the metal. Johnson. Sam yelled. Johnson! Where the hell are you? Sam heard something from behind the hole. 
                        Is that you Sam? Sam suddenly saw the eye of Johnson. My god it is you, how the hell did you do this? Sam shook his head. 
                        It doesnt matter. Rig up some plastic explosive and get us out of here. Johnson nodded. 
                        Stand back. Plastic filled the hole, Sam and Votion stood away, there was an explosion and there was suddenly a gaping hole in the wall. Sam and Votion ran through it. They flew out the door. Johnson watched them leave. The door in Votions quarters fell through and two officers ran through the hole and out through the door. Sam and Votion rounded a corner. 
                        Whats going on? Votion asked. 
                        Triton Dynamics has a deal with the Shivans. They provide ships and our deaths, and when this is all over Dynamics gets the worlds. Votion swore something in Vasudan. They were about to round a corner when three guards stoped them. They swung around and met the eyes of the two first guards coming after them. The stoped in front of a door as the five guards approached.  
                       Youll never get away with this. Sam said, it was the best cliche he could think of. 
                       But you see, once weve killed you. he smiled. We will have. They aimed. 
                       Then youll have to kill me. Someone said behind the two officers. They turned. It was Admiral Newshire, he held in his hand Sams recording device. Sam knew it had been a good idea to visit there first. 
                       Oh, he said smiling. Such a tragedy, it appears the Admiral Newshire had been killed by these two Shivan collaborators. He aimed his gun. Suddenly the sound of several gun bolts being pulled back could be heard behind the three guards. Their clicks made the three of them drop their weapons. 
                      And what about these fine chaps? Were they killed too? The two guards turned, the three of their cohorts had guns to their heads. And these, more officers appeared behind the Admiral. Newshire pulled up a gun and pulled back the striker with his thumb. The two remaining guards dropped their weapons. Take them away. The new guards rushed in, then grabbed the first guards hands. They were carted away to the bridge. Newshire lowered the weapon to his side and pushed the striker back into place. 

                     Newshire threw the pad unto the table. Sam and Votion stood. So what do we do about it? Sam asked. Newshire sat down. 
                     We wait, we allow Triton Dynamics to play their cards. He smiled. Place your bets gentlemen. He looked out the window. Dont worry Sam, well get a few of our officers to check over your wings before you head out. The ship moved into subspace. Were heading to Ross 128, where the first Shivan attack was. He turned back. We have reports of something large heading our way. Its about the same mass as an Orion, but has a much more powerful energy signature. He hit a key. The image of Ross 128 III appeared on the screen. We have a planetary scanner here, and thats where were going. We have evidence of a new kind of Jump node, one that spans to another star system, billions of star years away. He looked back out the window. We may not come back from this mission, and what we find may sicken us to the bone. But we have to find out. Sam and Votion turned, they walked out of the room. Newshire picked up the book again. He flipped through the pages one more time, and kept moving along. 
                    This war was like this book. They were all chasing after their white whales. They condemned their crews to death by forever chasing the Shivan whale. The Shivans, like them, chased the white whale as well. For them it was the destruction of the human race. He stoped at a single page, he followed the words down the page. He read the words quietly to himself, he breathed in the air, and took a sip of his drink. He placed the cup down and read the words again. He stood and walked over to the window. Looking out, he placed the book on the table and looked out at the swirling mass of black and blue light. The world outside shifted and changed, but the words stayed the same, and so did their meaning. And so Ahab spoke the words. 
                      Stern All! Oh Moby Dick, I clutch thy heart at last! But it was his voice. 

                      To be Continued...