The Callisto Catacombs Read online

  Guardians of the Galactic Sentinel: Book Three

  The Callisto Catacombs.

  by Phillip Nolte

  ([email protected])

  Cover image by A. Wirth ([email protected])

  Dedication.

  This book is dedicated to my ever-patient partner-for-life, Lucinda L. Nolte,.

  The Callisto Catacombs is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright 2019 by Phillip Nolte

  Acknowledgements

  Special thanks to good friend and artist, A. Wirth for her superb artwork and Jill Randall, Lucinda Nolte, Chuck Mullen, Darrel Beebe, Sybil Beebe, Mary Ann Cherry and Robert Cherry for their invaluable assistance with editing and proofreading.

  Table of Contents

  Acknowledgements

  Dramatis Personae

  Prologue.

  Chapter 1. Enhanced Protection

  Chapter 2. Dreamers

  Chapter 3. A Mazing?

  Chapter 4. Goodbyes

  Chapter 5. Belgrade Business

  Chapter 6. Travel Preparations

  Chapter 7. Translation Revelation

  Chapter 8. Petty Squabbles

  Chapter 9. Full House

  Chapter 10. Garden Tour

  Chapter 11. Capri Departure

  Chapter 12. Organizational Matters

  Chapter 13. New Orders

  Chapter 14. Hordean Biology Lesson

  Chapter 15. Plant Protection

  Chapter 16. Code Breaker

  Chapter 17. Hordean Arrival

  Chapter 18. Armed Vegetation

  Chapter 19. Merchant Matters

  Chapter 20. Deja Vu

  Chapter 21. Archeon Repository

  Chapter 22. On the Run

  Chapter 23. Meet Me at the Bar

  Chapter 24. Room Service

  Chapter 25. Old Viking Tactic

  Chapter 26. Aliens Onboard

  Chapter 27. Missing Lycan

  Chapter 28. Traitorous Exposé

  Chapter 29. Confessions

  Chapter 30. Loyal Turncoat

  Chapter 31. Payback

  Chapter 32. New Recruit

  Chapter 33. Up to Speed.

  Chapter 34. Belgrade Detour

  Chapter 35. Nova York Return

  Chapter 36. Unwanted Refuse

  Chapter 37. Phony Prisoner

  Chapter 38. Disturbing News

  Chapter 39. Infiltration

  Chapter 40. Nova York Battle

  Chapter 41. Lutrins

  Chapter 42. Allied Fleet

  Chapter 43. Lost Leadership

  Chapter 44. Shakedown Tour

  Chapter 45. Belgrade Regained

  Chapter 46. Elevator Crisis

  Chapter 47. Out of the Bag

  Chapter 48. Callisto Dash

  Chapter 49. String of Pearls

  Chapter 50. Enemy Epiphany

  Chapter 51. Return to Sol

  Chapter 52. Hordean Trojan

  Chapter 53. Decision Time

  Chapter 54. Ganymede

  Chapter 55. Battle of Verda

  Chapter 56. Callisto

  Chapter 57. Midgard.

  Chapter 58. Puzzles

  Chapter 59. Invaders

  Chapter 60. The Maze

  Chapter 61. Advanced Notice

  Chapter 62. Ground Defense

  Chapter 63. On the Defensive

  Chapter 64. Evacuation

  Chapter 65. Mustering Forces.

  Chapter 66. Sol Battle

  Chapter 67. Terms of Surrender

  Chapter 68. Sanctuary

  Chapter 69. Withdrawal

  Chapter 70. Gauntlet

  Chapter 71. Reunion

  Chapter 72. Through the Looking Glass

  Chapter 73. Alternative History

  Chapter 74. Xenerians

  Chapter 75. Solutions

  Chapter 76. Catacombs

  Epilogue

  Other books by this author

  About the Author

  Dramatis Personae

  HUMANS

  Amalgamated Representatives—appointed by the Galactic Sentinel Network to guide Humanity through the Grand Amalgamation of Civilized Planets citizenship process.

  Dr. Arnold Mobutu. Symbologist, former post doc under Professor Harold MacPherson, dreamer.

  Won Ling-tsu. Former president of the Jovian Hegemony on Ganymede, dreamer.

  Gertrude Tvedt. Sol Viking, spaceship pilot, daughter of King Holger Tvedt.

  Amalgamated Guardians—appointed by the Galactic Sentinel Network to protect and aid Representatives.

  Zachary Lynton. Former Federation marine hovercraft gunner, owner of Capri.

  Ariane MacPherson. Former Federation Naval Intelligence agent, spaceship pilot, daughter of Professor Harold MacPherson.

  Captain Sergei Popov. Former captain of destroyed Soviet armed courier Murmansk.

  Amalgamated Advisors.

  Dr. Olga Dostoyevski. Symbologist.

  Dr. Kathryn Harbour. Symbologist.

  Dr. Harold MacPherson. Symbologist.

  Holger Tvedt. King of the Sol Vikings.

  United Federation of Planets Personnel.

  Everett Dawson. Senator from Nova York.

  Feodor Gonzales. United Federation of Planets Navy Fleet Admiral.

  Madam Miriam Love. Psychic Medium, dreamer.

  William Tingey. Federation secretary of the Navy (SEC-NAV.)

  Union of Soviet Democratic Planets (USDP) Personnel.

  Grisha Abramovich. Lieutenant, Soviet Political services on New Belgrade Platform.

  Vasily Bobrik. Petty Officer Third Class, Soviet People's Navy, Master Computer Tech.

  Pytor Grasmik. Lenin's first officer.

  Nicholas Kozloff. Captain of Soviet People's Navy Armed Courier Lenin.

  Eva Kryslov. Petty Officer First Class, Soviet People's Navy, New Belgrade Station security officer.

  Yuri Lipnitsky. Admiral, Soviet People's Navy, Head Political Officer on New Belgrade orbital platform.

  Jakob Luken. Owner and operator of tramp freighter Odessa.

  Anton Markov. Admiral, highest ranking officer in the Soviet People's Navy.

  Felix Spaski. Master Chief, Soviet People's Navy.

  Valentin Zlotnik. Master Sergeant, Soviet People's Space Marines, assigned to Lenin.

  Other Humans

  Erik Thoreson. Sol Viking, Holger Tvedt's second in command, husband of Gertrude.

  Wang Yong. Commander, Jovian Hegemony Space Navy.

  Longwei Zhang. Acting premier of Jovian Hegemony on Ganymede.

  NON-HUMANS

  Hordea

  Acer. Chief engineer on Hordean Starflower Helianthus.

  Betula. Scientist and engineer, stationed on Lenin.

  Malus. Scientist and engineer, stationed on Capri.

  Salix. Amalgamation Representative for the Hordea.

  Querica. Amalgamation Guardian for the Hordea.

  Other Non-Humans

  Helspar. Hylidian. Amalgamation Grand Council member.

  Joroaster. Lycan. Amalgamation Grand Council member.

  Naift. Avean. Chair, Grand Council for the Amalgamation of Civilized Planets.

  Neasturum. Sauropsid. Amalgamation Grand Council member.

  Sub-Queen Sithia. Thenarium aquaticus. Amalgamation Grand Council member.

  Symantia L'Proxa. Lycan. Amalgamation Fourth Quadrant Regional Guardian.

  The Callisto Catacombs

  Guardians of the Galactic Sentinel Book 3.

  ...An ancient race of beings known as Arch
eons mysteriously disappeared sometime around five millennia ago, their true name lost in the vast abyss of antiquity. Behind them, scattered throughout the Milky Way Galaxy, remains evidence of their highly advanced, but enigmatic civilization. This evidence takes many forms, among them structures, devices, and encrypted writings, though other forms almost certainly remain to be discovered. Those fortunate enough to locate or retrieve an Archeon remnant are generally rewarded with something of incalculable value to their civilization. One such remnant, which would easily be the largest and most comprehensive ever revealed, lies tantalizingly close to discovery. The remnant remains undiscovered due to its location—an undistinguished planetary system orbiting an equally obscure star off in a remote corner of the Milky Way Galaxy. The nature of this artifact is clouded in mystery...

  Prologue.

  Grand Amalgamation of Galactic Civilizations Supreme Council Chambers,

  Planet Eirene, First Quadrant of the Milky Way Galaxy, November 21, 2676.

  Directly across the Milky Way Galaxy from a conglomeration of obscure planetary systems colonized by a newly emerging race of intelligent beings called "Humans," the Supreme Council of the Grand Amalgamation of Galactic Civilizations had just convened. The Council met once every thirty solar days on the planet Eirene, historical home to Amalgamated headquarters, chosen because of its proximity to the star systems which made up the original nucleus of the Grand Amalgamation.

  The Supreme Council consisted of five Councilors, one from each of the original founding races. Chief Councilor Naift presided over the meeting. Naift, an Avean, was currently at his customary station on one side of the Council chambers behind a massive desk. Arrayed in a semicircle around the oval room and facing him from their own smaller but still very impressive stations were the other four members of the Supreme Council, Helspar of the Hylidians, Neasterum of the Sauropsids, Joroaster of the Lycans and Her Supreme Honor sub-queen Sithia of the enigmatic Thenarim aquaticus race.

  With the routine business of running the Amalgamation completed, Chief Councilor Naift moved on to the ultimate item on the docket.

  "As usual, the last article on our agenda is the consideration of new species for membership in our organization. Joroaster? We hear there have been some developments regarding the Humans. Would you care to provide us with your report?"

  The distinguished-looking Lycan, his copper gold eyes sharp and his sleek orange-brown fur lustrous—in contrast to the noticeable graying around his muzzle—took the podium. He was perhaps the most accomplished speaker on the council and his confidence showed in his relaxed and assured manner.

  "The Regional Sentinel Guardian for the fourth quadrant, Symantia L'Proxa, informs me that the Human Sentinel Representatives and their Guardians have announced our offer for Amalgamation citizenship to all of the various governments in the Human sphere of space. As I have stated previously, they are an extremely fractious race and progress in this area has gone slowly, though not unexpectedly so. Inroads have been made, however, and we believe it is just a matter of time before a consensus is reached."

  "That is excellent news, Councilor," declared Naift. "What of the progress of their establishment of relations with the Hordea?"

  "As you all know, the Hordea and the Humans are each other's closest galactic neighbors. As this is the first encounter of an alien intelligence for either species, we are carefully monitoring events. Regional Guardian L'Proxa reports that the first contact between the two species was successful and development of formal relations is progressing nicely. A delegation of Humans representing the most powerful of their governments will be leaving for Hordean space within the next half cycle."

  "So they are compatible?" asked sub-queen Sithia, through the special intercom connecting her aquatic habitat to that of her air-breathing colleagues.

  "As I said, the initial contact between the two species went well and, at least so far, they seem to be quite compatible. I am cautiously optimistic about the prospect of successful future relations."

  "How much longer do you think their citizenship process will require?" asked Sithia.

  "That remains unknown at this time, Councilor, but I am confident the Humans will be able to meet the one-year deadline. A ceasefire in their sphere of space has already been initiated, and internal hostilities within the race have all but ceased."

  "At least temporarily," interjected Neasterum, in his haughty Sauropsid way. "I have studied the Galactic Sentinel reports on the history of these Humans, and it seems they are only able to put down arms for short periods before some kind of conflict flares up again."

  "On that point, I am in agreement with my distinguished colleague," said Joroaster. "Humans have experienced many periods of relative peace during their history, all of which were interrupted by conflict, sooner or later. This time, however, I believe affairs are different."

  "Different how?" asked Neasterum.

  "This time they know the Galaxy is watching, and the stakes of failure have never been higher."

  "On that we agree," said the Sauropsid. "I wish them luck." A flick of his forked tongue telegraphed his insincerity regarding the matter.

  Joroaster treated him to a canine glare. "As do I." He turned to the Chief Councilor. "That is all I have for now, Your Honor."

  "Thank you, Councilor, you may step down." Naift shifted his gaze to Helspar of the Hylidians, a race bearing an uncanny resemblance to the amphibians of Old Earth. The Councilor, a competent if somewhat nervous speaker, arose from his station, and made his way over to the podium. The iridescent crest running from the back of his neck and halfway down his spine was almost completely erect, telegraphing the tension he was experiencing to all in the chamber.

  "Distinguished colleagues," he began. "The initial contact between the Hordea, who I remind you all are a unique species of intelligent plants, and the Humans, went very well despite an unfortunate misunderstanding at the very beginning."

  "Misunderstanding?" asked Naift. "What sort of misunderstanding?"

  "Guardian L'Proxa informs me there was an attempt by the crew of another Human ship to interfere with the process. I am happy to report that one of our resourceful Human Representatives and two of her Guardians were able to persuade the captain and crew of the aggressor ship to break off their attack before any damage was done. It seems the aggressors had been misled to believe the Hordea were a formidable enemy. By the time the incident was resolved, all of them had become friends and allies."

  "Who or what was it that misled them?" asked Sithia.

  "That is still being investigated, but there are strong rumors that Custodians were involved in some way."

  "There you go again," said Neasterum, rudely interrupting, "accusing the Custodians of illegally meddling in Amalgamation affairs. Have you any proof?" Along with his other duties, the Sauropsid had the thankless duty of liaison to the Custodians, the Amalgamation's greatest rivals. Unfortunately, the position seemed to have become more necessary in recent years, though it placed him in the unlikely position of defending the despicable creatures.

  "My proof is only tenuous at best, for the time being anyway," replied Helspar, "but the fact that a number of Hordean spacecraft have mysteriously gone missing recently is alarming. Since they have only a small fleet of ships, the loss of even one is significant. If the Custodians are somehow involved... "

  Neasterum interrupted him. "Let the record show that our colleague's accusation is little more than wild speculation."

  Helspar's iridescent crest, which had folded to rest as he recovered from his initial nervousness, now sprang fully erect, revealing his agitation.

  "I believe that was a bit of an overreaction, Neasterum," said Naift, attempting to restore the proceedings to a more acceptable decorum.

  "Nevertheless, I stand by my statement."

  "Do you wish to lodge a formal complaint?"

  The Sauropsid paused and looked around at his colleagues before backing down. "Not at this time, Your Honor, but
I feel it is my duty to ensure that our rivals are not falsely accused of illegal activity. As we are all well aware, our peaceful relationship with them could be threatened by such rumors. None of us has any wish for that to occur."

  "Point taken," said Naift. "I do not believe any further discussion on this subject is necessary at this point in time. Helspar? I expect a full report on this Custodian activity at our next meeting. Neasterum will consult with the Custodians."

  "For all the good that will do," said Joroaster, coming to the aid of his Hylidian friend.

  "What is that supposed to mean?" challenged Neasterum.

  Joroaster, his hackles raised in challenge, was in the process of formulating a sharp retort when Chief Councilor Naift intervened before the altercation could escalate further. "Councilors, please!" he exclaimed, almost shouting. He turned to the Lycan. "Joroaster? You are out of order."

  "My apologies, Your Honor," said Joroaster, still glaring at his Sauropsid rival. "It won't happen again."

  "We must maintain a civil discourse while we are in session," said Naift, his feathers ruffled and his sharp Avean eyes sweeping the council chamber. "Am I understood?"

  "Of course," said Joroaster, though his challenge was still evident as he backed down.

  "Indeed," said Neasterum, glaring back at his rival.

  The chamber was silent for a long moment after the admonishment. Finally Naift said, "Is there any more business to discuss?"

  Hearing nothing, he closed the meeting with, "Very well. I will expect another progress report from Joroaster, Helspar and Neasterum at our next meeting. Councilors, we are adjourned."

  Chapter 1.

  Enhanced Protection.

  Nova York Orbital Platform onboard spacefaring yacht Capri, December 1, 2676.

  Cliff Bernard grumbled while toiling in the engineering section of Capri. He was changing out the ship's shield generator, a component not yet replaced during the fifty-plus-year lifespan of the ship. He'd pulled the inspection panel off just over three hours ago, and was now in the final stages of disconnecting the original device before removing it. The old yacht had received extensive modifications over the years, including upgraded power and drive systems. Just over a year ago she had also been outfitted with a twin-mount retractable pulse cannon system.