The Android Chronicle: Science Fiction

Von Brian Carisi

The Android Chronicle: Science Fiction

by Brian Carisi

 

The size of this book is equivalent to 194 paperback pages.

 

Androids from a distant galaxy invade the Milky Way - and the empire of mankind is on the brink.

 

The Terran Empire had become a galactic power factor. About 2500 inhabited planets belonged to it, and on further 1200 there were bases. The majority of mankind lived in this empire.

It happened in Terra-Town, the capital of Earth and the Empire:

Cloen Pontac entered the bungalow of the president of Terra, Arn Polo, after a brief check.

"Good to see you, Cloen," Pontac was greeted by Polo. Pontac was a general by profession, or rather a special general of the TA, the Terran Defense, the intelligence service of the Empire.

Pontac and Polo sat down at a small, round table that looked rather drab.

"May I ask why you called me to your bungalow of all places? And why you want to present the matter to me personally, when someone else could?" asked Pontac.

"You'll understand in a minute," Polo announced.

"You know the planet Katura III?" asked Polo now.

"As far as I know, there is only one base of the empire there. From a galactic point of view, Katura III is of no importance. At most Katura II, where several million settlers live."

Polo just nodded.

"Yes, no one was interested in Katura III until recently. Katura III is a desert world where there is almost no water in free form. There are also killer sandstorms that would simply bury a settlement. In addition, the planet is relatively unexplored."

 

 

Brian Carisi (Alfred Bekker) is a well-known author of fantasy novels, thrillers and books for young people. In addition to his major book successes, he has written numerous novels for suspense series such as Ren Dhark, Jerry Cotton, Cotton reloaded, Kommissar X, John Sinclair, and Jessica Bannister. He has also published under the names Neal Chadwick, Henry Rohmer, Conny Walden, Sidney Gardner, Jonas Herlin, Adrian Leschek, John Devlin, Brian Carisi, Robert Gruber, and Janet Farell.

• Sprache: Deutsch
• Herausgeber: BEKKERpublishing
• Erscheinungsdatum: 4. März 2023
• ISBN: 9798215286142

Buchvorschau

The Android Chronicle: Science Fiction

by Brian Carisi

The size of this book is equivalent to 194 paperback pages.

Androids from a distant galaxy invade the Milky Way - and the empire of mankind is on the brink.

––––––––

Brian Carisi (Alfred Bekker) is a well-known author of fantasy novels, thrillers and books for young people. In addition to his major book successes, he has written numerous novels for suspense series such as Ren Dhark, Jerry Cotton, Cotton reloaded, Kommissar X, John Sinclair, and Jessica Bannister. He has also published under the names Neal Chadwick, Henry Rohmer, Conny Walden, Sidney Gardner, Jonas Herlin, Adrian Leschek, John Devlin, Brian Carisi, Robert Gruber, and Janet Farell.

Copyright

A CassiopeiaPress book: Alfredbooks, CASSIOPEIAPRESS, UKSAK E-Books and BEKKERpublishing are imprints of Alfred Bekker

© 1976 by Author

COVER A.PANADERO

Brian Carisi is a pseudonym of Alfred Bekker

© of this issue 2023 by AlfredBekker/CassiopeiaPress, Lengerich/Westphalia

www.AlfredBekker.de

[e-mail]

1.

The Terran Empire had become a galactic power factor. About 2500 inhabited planets belonged to it, and on further 1200 there were bases. The majority of mankind lived in this empire.

It happened in Terra-Town, the capital of Earth and the Empire:

Cloen Pontac entered the bungalow of the president of Terra, Arn Polo, after a brief check.

Good to see you, Cloen, Pontac was greeted by Polo. Pontac was a general by profession, or rather a special general of the TA, the Terran Defense, the intelligence service of the Empire.

Pontac and Polo sat down at a small, round table that looked rather drab.

May I ask why you called me to your bungalow of all places? And why you want to present the matter to me personally, when someone else could? asked Pontac.

You'll understand in a minute, Polo announced.

You know the planet Katura III? asked Polo now.

As far as I know, there is only one base of the empire there. From a galactic point of view, Katura III is of no importance. At most Katura II, where several million settlers live.

Polo just nodded.

Yes, no one was interested in Katura III until recently. Katura III is a desert world where there is almost no water in free form. There are also killer sandstorms that would simply bury a settlement. In addition, the planet is relatively unexplored.

Polo paused for a moment and looked sharply at Pontac.

Do you know what an android is?

Indeed, Mr. Polo. And I also know that it is forbidden within the Empire to manufacture any.

Very true. And we now suspect that there are people on Katura III who are making androids like that. It's only a suspicion so far, and hopefully it won't be confirmed. Other than me and you, the only people who know about this are your associates Bran Kinsher and Bount Reiniger, Colonel Marout Huisener, the commander of the TA special ship NAGOYA, and Bo Asken, the commander of Katura-Point, the base of Katura III.

Why so few initiates? asked Pontac in wonder.

We want to avoid a panic. You will understand that, Mr. Pontac. If androids are being manufactured somewhere, it's really everybody's business, but it would make it impossible for us to take action.

Pontac nodded and rose.

The NAGOYA stands ready for takeoff at the spaceport of Terra-Town. Your colleagues are already there, Polo said in conclusion.

2.

The NAGOYA could be seen from far away. A spherical giant with a diameter of 3000 meters was simply impossible to miss. The NAGOYA was no ordinary battleship of the fleet. She was a special ship of the TA!

It had many extras that were not built into normal ships.

After Pontac boarded, the NAGOYA took off. On board he also met the two TA specialists Bran Kinsher and Bount Reiniger, whom he had known for a long time.

However, Pontac did not get to see the commander of the spacecraft. Where was Marout Huisener?

The command on the ship seemed to be held by the first officer, Seiichi Atakura. When Pontac or Reiniger asked for Huisener, they were always told monotonously that the commander had no time, he was busy.

Pontac also found it strange that Seiichi Atakura avoided any kind of physical contact. He never shook anyone's hand, which Pontac found extremely strange.

Pontac was sitting with Kinsher and Reiniger in Kinsher's cabin. They talked about all sorts of things, but also about Marout Huisener and Seiichi Atakura.

The trip has been going on for two days now, and the commander has yet to show himself to us. This leads me to believe that Huisener is not on board at all, Kinsher explained.

Who would have an interest in the commander not making the trip? asked Reiniger.

Seiichi Atakura! escaped Kinsher.

No, his fraud would be exposed. He certainly wouldn't be promoted because of it. I don't think he has a chance of getting the command that way, Reiniger replied.

A face now appeared on the small screen next to the door.

My name is Daff Koson. I must speak with you, said the man on the screen in great excitement.

Okay, come on in, Pontac called back.

The sliding door of the cabin slid aside and Koson entered. He carried a human on his back, which he gently placed on the couch. The door closed automatically.

Who is that? asked Pontac sharply.

Marout Huisener, Koson provided information.

Pontac glanced at the commander. He had never seen Huisener before in his life.

Where did you find him, and why are you bringing him to this cabin? inquired Pontac as he leaned over the colonel.

I don't trust Major Atakura over the way. I have a suspicion that he made Huisener disappear.

And where did you find him? huffed Reiniger.

In the lock chamber. It's a miracle he's still alive. Fortunately, the airlock gate had jammed, so it remained closed. Otherwise Huisener would now be somewhere in space.

Pontac shivered. Who was behind this assassination?

What course are we on? You as ...

Cleaner was quickly interrupted.

But that's not a secret. We are on the way to Ombul VIII.

But we should be on our way to Katura III, Pontac exclaimed in horror.

Besides, the Ombul sector is no longer part of the Empire at all, Kinsher still remarked.

Who gave the order to fly to Ombul VIII? asked Cloen Pontac now, addressing Koson.

Seiichi Atakura, who else?

Not Colonel Huisener?

No. It seemed strange to us, too, but we didn't do anything about it after all.

Pontac just nodded.

You do have the right to take command as a special general of the TA and the Terran Empire, Cloen, Bount Reiniger stated.

Pontac said nothing and went to the wall radio. He called for a security detail. A short time later he was with Pontac and the others.

Arrest Seiichi Atakura, he ordered.

The squad moved off.

Along with the security officers, Pontac, Reiniger, Kinsher and Daff Koson arrived at the headquarters.

A guard soldier had remained with the still unconscious Marout Huisener.

Seiichi Atakura sat in the commander's chair as usual. He did not say a word and only silently looked at the large panorama screen, on which the outlines of the planet Ombul VIII could now be seen.

Mr. Atakura, you're under arrest! shouted Pontac.

Atakura turned around together with the commander's chair. It seemed that he had expected this action from Pontac. He allowed himself to be led away by the security officer without further ado. Pontac now sat down in the commander's chair.

Course: Katura III! he ordered.

Unknown spacecraft approaching, reported Chan Kobashi, the NAGOYA's tracking officer.

Now they were also visually visible on the big screen.

It is highly probable that they are ombulan discus ships. Diameter of the discus: 1300 m. Height: 350 m. They are flying in combat formation. They are twelve units, Kobashi reported further.

The Ombul system was inhabited by a warlike, non-human race - the Ombulans. They were known for their ruthless raids, during which they seemed to be unaware of the territories of the other galactic powers. They only owned the fourteen planets of the sun Ombul, but they were still dangerous.

The discus ships of the Ombulans were the terror of space.

Man fire control stations, activate protective screens! ordered Pontac.

I think Atakura knew the Ombulans were lurking here. He deliberately lured us into this trap, Bount Reiniger let slip.

Cloen Pontac nodded grimly.

But why? Why? What interest can he have in the destruction of the NAGOYA? asked Pontac again in despair.

Do we stand a chance against twelve units? asked Koson resignedly.

A radio message is reaching us right now. After that, they want to talk to the commander of this ship, Chan Kobashi called out.

Pontac nodded.

Okay, make a connection, Mr. Kobashi.

The image on the large screen changed. Instead of the outline of the planet Ombul VIII and the stars in the background, one now saw an animal-like figure. It had four arms and two heads. Two faces with three eyes each stared at Pontac.

My name is Ka-Lang, croaked a voice in bad Intergalactic.

My name is Cloen Pontac, the Terran introduced himself.

I don't want to take a long time, Ka-Lang now croaked. So I'll make this short, Cloen Pontac. Surrender, or you have only hours to live. You can choose whichever you prefer.

How gracious of you, Pontac scoffed.

But the Ombulan - with his completely non-human mentality - did not understand the mockery.

Yes, yes, you said it: I am merciful. I warn you, Cloen Pontac. Woe to you if you abuse my mercy!

The six eyes in both of Ka-Lang's heads began to flicker menacingly.

Break contact, Mr. Kobashi! ordered Pontac.

Kobashi obeyed.

The Ombulan ships were getting closer and closer. They also kept their battle formation.

The first energy shots were fired.

But the protective shield of the NAGOYA held.

The NAGOYA had been completely encircled - there was no escape route.

A shot from the TA ship severely damaged a Discus spacecraft. He retreated.

A second spacecraft could be completely destroyed after a few direct hits.

But then the NAGOYA received some sensitive shots on its protective screen, which almost collapsed.

We have to be careful! shouted Marku Cortmann, who was the energy officer of the NAGOYA.

Again, a hail of energy projectiles rained down on the shield.

He began to puff up.

He's going to burst! cried Cortmann, almost hysterically.

Immediately divert power from the thrusters to stabilize the screen, Cloen Pontac ordered. The order was carried out immediately. The umbrella stabilized somewhat again. But for how long?

The battle continued.

But now spherical ships also appeared on the screen. The situation was quite clear - they had to be space cruisers of the Empire.

Kobashi reported that it was a fleet of 26 units. At first the Ombulan ships resisted, but then they had to retreat.

We were lucky again, Reiniger said. Pontac nodded.

A lieutenant came running excitedly into the control room.

Mr. Pontac, Mr. Pontac! he shouted.

The TA general turned around.

What is it, lieutenant? he asked.

Pontac immediately recognized the lieutenant. This man had led the squad of security officers that had arrested Seiichi Atakura.

It's about Seiichi Atakura! I happened to touch him on the hand. It was ice cold.

Is the matter under investigation? inquired Pontac.

The lieutenant nodded.

Yes, Dr. Borosch took care of the matter.

Pontac now turned to Walt Arrows, the radio officer of the NAGOYA.

Establish a link with the fleet that rescued us, he ordered.

Seconds later, a cunning face appeared on the large screen.

I'm Lt. Col. John Finlay, the man on the screen introduced himself.

I am General Pontac. I thank you for the quick help. If you hadn't been there, we wouldn't be now. What are you actually doing in this sector?

We located the energy fire, and that's when we thought ...

That's all right, Mr. Finlay. Now fly to the sun Katura.

Okay, general. But why?

We suspect there is an android plant on Katura III. Now hurry up.

Finlay nodded his huge head. His face disappeared from the large panorama screen.

General Pontac, Dr. Borosh wishes you to come to the infirmary, the loudspeaker croaked.

I'm coming, Pontac replied.

He rose from the commander's chair and had the elevator carry him to the ambulance station.

Dr. Rakal Borosch, the ship's doctor of the NAGOYA, was already waiting for him.

Well, what did you find out, doctor? wanted Pontac to know.

Follow me, Borosch prompted.

The doctor led the general into an adjoining room.

They sat down in waiting bucket chairs.

You know, General, Seiichi Atakura may look exactly like a human from the outside. But if you look at it from the inside, then ... well, see for yourself.

With these words, Borosch turned on the large monitor on the wall.

A human being, or at least his outline, could be seen.

Color dots marked the location of the organs.

Look here, Mr. Pontac: Atakura has neither a gall bladder nor a liver. The spleen is also missing. The heart sits on the right, while the left half of the chest contains an organ that has not yet been identified. His lungs also bear only a distant resemblance to a normal lung. The other organs of his body are also not located where they should be, apart from the brain and a few other exceptions.

So you're saying that Atakura is an android, Doctor.

I am firmly convinced of this. Look: His average body temperature is 290 Kelvin. 290 Kelvin! Imagine that! A normal person would have frozen to death long ago at that temperature. 300 Kelvin would be what he would have to bring at least. I cannot explain how this man functions - how he can live with such a body.

"We need to know why he lured us into this trap, Doctor. I think